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

Allan Hawco rose to prominence as the co-creator, executive producer, and star of the CBC comedy Republic of Doyle (2010–2014), which landed him two Gemini nominations. —Randall Colburn, EW.com, 10 July 2025

But that brief overlap sparked a lifelong friendship, and Gallagher watched from afar over the years as Brewer gained prominence in the San Diego legal community. —Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025

In many cases, the tensions between residential and industrial operations date back decades — before Louisville or Jefferson County implemented zoning, and before the automobile came to prominence. —Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025

The Pac-10 soon became the Pac-12, adding Colorado and Utah, and for a time, the conference looked poised to rival the SEC and Big Ten in prominence. —Giovanni Malloy, Forbes.com, 1 July 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)