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

That sum of money, for him, is simply a yardstick for the prominence of his image and his desire for admiration. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 8 July 2026

Wong rose to prominence in Hong Kong in 2012 as a high school student leading protests against the introduction of national education in the city’s schools. — ABC News, 7 July 2026

Taking the funeral across the border to Iraq will allow the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the most powerful military, political and economic force in Iran, to highlight its regional prominence. — Garrett Haake, NBC news, 7 July 2026

Remdesivir rose to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it was used (to mixed effect) to treat patients in the hospital. — Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 7 July 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)