prominence

noun

prom·​i·​nence ˈprä-mə-nən(t)s 

ˈpräm-nən(t)s

1

: something prominent : projection

a rocky prominence

2

: the quality, state, or fact of being prominent or conspicuous

3

: a mass of gas resembling a cloud that arises from the chromosphere of the sun

Synonyms

• hill
• mound
• eminence
• elevation
• mountain
• cliff

Examples of prominence in a Sentence

The company rose to prominence in the 1990s.

The publicity has given him a prominence he doesn't deserve.

Recent Examples on the Web

The assortment will be primarily men’s, but womenswear is seen as a growth area for Carhartt and is being given more space and prominence in new and remodeled stores. —Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2025

Should the team, as some suggest, build a lineup of sluggers and attempt to bash its way back to prominence? —Andy McCullough, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025

Their family rose to prominence on the reality show Jon & Kate Plus 8, which began in 2007 and ended its initial run following Kate and Jon's divorce in 2009. —Carson Blackwelder, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025

Last year was dominated by, among other things, Neon’s rise to industry prominence with Anora, the formal grandeur of The Brutalist, the roller coaster of hype and backlash that was Emilia Pérez, and Demi Moore’s career comeback with The Substance. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin prōminentia "state of projecting or jutting out," noun derivative of prōminent-, prōminens "projecting, standing out," from present participle of prōminēre "to project beyond a surface, stick out, stick up" — more at prominent

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for prominence

• dominance
• predominance

Kids Definition

prominence

noun

prom·​i·​nence ˈpräm(-ə)-nən(t)s 

1

: the quality, state, or fact of being prominent : distinction

a person of prominence

2

: something (as a mountain) that is prominent

3

: a mass of gas resembling a cloud that arises from the chromosphere of the sun

Medical Definition

prominence

noun

prom·​i·​nence ˈpräm(-ə)-nən(t)s 

: an elevation or projection on an anatomical structure (as a bone)