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

But 70 years after its heyday, mento’s place in Caribbean popular music has now become marginal, as the global prominence of styles that came after mento has tended to make the earlier genre seem like merely a prelude. — Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 4 Nov. 2026

The motif appeared in the maison’s early creations before gaining prominence in the late 1940s with the Couscous collection. — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2026

The Tigers look like a healthier squad that’s ready to make a push to national prominence during the final stage of the season. — Pj Green november 2, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026

Nowadays, a star college player of Williamson’s prominence could earn millions of dollars. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 Nov. 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)