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

This distinction has only grown in prominence as Makhachev's career soared. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026

The site was chosen for the Obama family's deep roots in the neighborhood, both in their lives before political prominence and after President Barack Obama's meteoric rise to lead the nation. — CBS News, 17 June 2026

These candidates' rise to political prominence comes at a crucial time for Democrats as Republican legislatures have redrawn historically Black districts to weaken their opposition's chances of prevailing at the polls. — Jay Stahl, USA Today, 16 June 2026

The company first rose to prominence in the mid-2010s, when Tesla began using Mobileye’s advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) as part of Autopilot. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 16 June 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)