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

Its prominence should fade with time, leaving Wilson's decade-long tenure in Seattle as his most important body of work. —Mike Sando, New York Times, 5 June 2026

While the prominence resembles a fiery eruption, Johnston notes that looks can be deceiving. —Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 5 June 2026

Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Images Bluesky, the social media platform that originated within Twitter, rose to prominence as a rival to the network after Elon Musk acquired the company and rebranded it as X. —Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 4 June 2026

Cruyff’s time at the clubs Ajax and FC Barcelona was very impactful, winning three European Cups with the former and helping Barcelona reclaim domestic prominence. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 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)