promontory
noun
prom·on·to·ry
ˈprä-mən-ˌtȯr-ē 
plural promontories
1
a
: a high point of land or rock projecting into a body of water
b
: a prominent mass of land overlooking or projecting into a lowland
2
: a bodily prominence
Examples of promontory in a Sentence
stood on the windswept promontory overlooking the bay
Cape May is Delaware Bay's largest promontory.
Recent Examples on the Web
Wailua Nui Luau is set near on a grassy promontory overlooking the mouth of the Wailua River, one of the most important ancient Hawaiian sites in the entire state.
—
Ben Davidson, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026
In the morning, after a hike through the village’s veins and up a rocky promontory topped with a statue of the Virgin Mary, the Belvedere della Madonnina astounds us with views onto the steep hills and Cala Feola—the island’s second, smaller port and Ponza’s only sandy beach.
—Kristina Kasparian, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2026
Avista, located within The Cliff Bay, looks straight out over the Atlantic from a natural promontory above the coast.
—Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Sitting atop a privatized promontory on just over 3/4 acres, the design-forward abode will offer seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for promontory
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Ben Davidson, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026
In the morning, after a hike through the village’s veins and up a rocky promontory topped with a statue of the Virgin Mary, the Belvedere della Madonnina astounds us with views onto the steep hills and Cala Feola—the island’s second, smaller port and Ponza’s only sandy beach.
—Kristina Kasparian, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2026
Avista, located within The Cliff Bay, looks straight out over the Atlantic from a natural promontory above the coast.
—Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Sitting atop a privatized promontory on just over 3/4 acres, the design-forward abode will offer seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for promontory
Cite this Entry
“Promontory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/promontory. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
promontory
noun
prom·on·to·ry
ˈpräm-ən-ˌtōr-ē
-ˌtȯr-
plural promontories
: a high point of land sticking out into the sea
Medical Definition
promontory
noun
prom·on·to·ry
ˈpräm-ən-ˌtōr-ē, -ˌtȯr-
plural promontories
: a bodily prominence: as
a
: the angle of the ventral side of the sacrum where it joins the vertebra
b
: a prominence on the inner wall of the tympanum of the ear
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