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

Spring is here and with it, a new set of sparkling constellations rises to prominence! —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 9 May 2026

From La Jolla prominence to national infamy Before the killings that made national headlines, Broderick appeared to embody affluent Southern California life. —Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 9 May 2026

As a Swedish pop auteur who rose to prominence in the late ‘00s, Lykke Li is probably sick to death of Robyn comparisons — but the only one worth making is to point out that by comparison, Li’s work has been dramatically underrated. —Jem Aswad, Variety, 8 May 2026

Khan could afford a project of this scale thanks to his prominence as a general and his additional appointment as governor of Fārs province. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 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)