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

Since riding the Tea Party wave to prominence in Texas politics, Paxton has been plagued by financial allegations, personal scandals, and whistle-blower complaints from his employees. —Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 20 May 2026

When selecting and writing news stories, journalists tend to focus on conflict, human interest, prominence, significance, and timeliness. —Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 May 2026

The Chinese leadership has put stabilizing the housing market on its agenda, but analysts say that the central government – preoccupied by pushing tech advances – is not interested in seeing the sector return to its former prominence as an economic driver. —Chris Lau, CNN Money, 18 May 2026

This lost place of prominence is the result of a number of contemporary realities, some practical and some ideological. —Literary Hub, 18 May 2026

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)