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

• 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

Loomer has risen to prominence following President Donald Trump's victory in last year's presidential election and subsequent return to office. —Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Aug. 2025

Despite Antetokounmpo’s status as the leading vote getter in each of the last two NBA All-Star Games, that is the lowest number of national TV games for the Bucks since the team first rose to prominence in the 2018-19 season, Antetokounmpo’s first NBA MVP season. —Eric Nehm, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2025

At a time when many speculated that Moore could be positioning himself for a 2028 run, the poll findings have raised concerns about his ability to maintain broad support, especially with former Republican Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s rising prominence. —Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 13 Aug. 2025

The Vanderbilts gained prominence during the Gilded Age, amassing their wealth through the shipping and railroad empires, and later, through subsequent generations, the real estate business. —EW.com, 12 Aug. 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)