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

Richard Simmons, the fitness instructor and media personality who rose to prominence in the 1980s, has died. —Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 13 July 2024

Flashback: The practice rose to prominence in Asia, but an American book from the '80s helped create its foundation. —Carly Mallenbaum, Axios, 10 July 2024

Dyson was founded in Malmesbury, England in 1991 by billionaire James Dyson, coming to prominence for its bagless vacuum cleaners. —Will Daniel, Fortune Europe, 9 July 2024

As CHROs rise to prominence and reinvent themselves, many companies have started thinking about making their HR function more aligned with the company’s business goals. —Bypaige McGlauflin, Fortune, 5 July 2024

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

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)