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

Odinga first rose to prominence as a political activist fighting against the one-party rule of President Daniel arap Moi in the 1980s. —CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025

The partnership signals both the rising prominence of culturally relevant fashion brands and the evolution of regional luxury groups from retail and distribution partners to active brand builders. —Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2025

D'Angelo first came to prominence in the '90s as one of the pioneers of the neo-soul genre made popular by some of his frequent collaborators Questlove, Erykah Badu, Q-Tip, J Dilla, Lauryn Hill, Raphael Saadiq, Angie Stone, among others. —Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025

Shapiro, Pennsylvania's third Jewish governor, rose to prominence as an outspoken Democratic governor and was on Kamala Harris' short list for her running mate in the 2024 presidential election. —Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 14 Oct. 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)