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

The European Space Agency's Solar Orbiter mission recently captured a dramatic solar prominence rising from the edge of the sun, a rare and captivating sight even for mission scientists accustomed to our home star's constant activity. —Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 26 Nov. 2025

The venture marks a strategic bet on Asia’s growing influence in the music industry, with the company aiming to both elevate regional artists to international prominence and provide Western acts with an entry point into Asian markets. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Nov. 2025

Jackson rose to national prominence in the 1960s as a close aide to King. —Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 25 Nov. 2025

Orkney’s prominence in that circuit is evident in the vogue for Grooved Ware, a style of pottery that originated there and then spread across Britain and Ireland. —Alex Ross, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 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)