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 of prominence

• 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

Letlow rose to political prominence in 2021 after winning a seat in the 5th Congressional District. — Gaby Vinick, ABC News, 27 June 2026

Ships and fighter planes A celebration of service and honor, the festival showcases our state's prominence in American history. — Tara Lynch, CBS News, 26 June 2026

Ormond, who rose to prominence in the ’90s after starring in Legends of the Fall, First Knight and Sabrina, claims in a lawsuit filed in 2023 that CAA’s top brass turned a blind eye to Weinstein’s crimes and failed to warn her about him before a 1995 meeting that led to her being assaulted. — Winston Cho For The Hollywood Reporter, ARTnews.com, 24 June 2026

In First Things, Matthew Schmitz asks what the increasing prominence of conservative Catholicism means for the country. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 24 June 2026

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)