salience

noun

sa·​lience ˈsā-lyən(t)s How to pronounce salience (audio)
-lē-ən(t)s
1
: the quality or state of being salient
2
: a striking point or feature : highlight

Examples of salience in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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But Trump and his acolytes seem to have underestimated not only their base, but the salience of the Epstein story itself. Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 16 July 2025 To ensure public confidence in the justice system, the legal profession must augment its regulatory function with a concerted and deliberate effort to educate the public about the salience of lawyers in a modern democracy. Blake D. Morant, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025 The question took on greater salience early Friday, when Trump told reporters the U.S. was going to start sending out letters to countries informing them of their new tariff rates. Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 6 July 2025 The subject matter—gang violence, emerging sexuality, the persistent salience of race in American life—is not typically considered appropriate for the kindergarten set, but Ira had his reasons. Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for salience

Word History

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of salience was in 1836

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Cite this Entry

“Salience.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/salience. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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