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

• altitude(s)
• elevation
• eminence
• height
• highland
• hill
• hump
• mound
• rise
• upland

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

For all the prominence of figures like Billy Graham or Rick Warren, no Protestant leader carries the singular, global authority and visibility of the Bishop of Rome. —Case Thorp, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2025

Despite a pandemic and universal shift in how people approach work, his company grew to prominence within a few years of its 2018 founding, naming Amazon, Schneider Electric and Marriott among its clients by 2021. —Aman Kidwai, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025

The tush push rose to prominence a few years ago when the Eagles began deploying it in short-yardage situations. —Ben Morse, CNN Money, 21 May 2025

The younger Trump pinned the message to the top of his feed on the social-media site X, giving it special prominence to his 15 million followers. —Susan Page, USA Today, 20 May 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)