prominence

noun

prom·​i·​nence ˈprä-mə-nən(t)s How to pronounce prominence (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Advertisement Kirk’s path to national prominence was unlike that of other MAGA icons. Eric Cortellessa, Time, 11 Sep. 2025 Sporting a bouffant red wig, Holliday shot to national prominence on Alice in a version of the character originated by Diane Ladd in the 1974 film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, directed by Martin Scorsese. Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025 Maximilian Davis, a British-Trinidadian designer, rose to prominence with his eponymous label before being appointed Creative Director of Salvatore Ferragamo in 2022. Karissa Mitchell, Essence, 10 Sep. 2025 The Bill also establishes that streamers must have in their catalogs a minimum of 10% of Brazilian content, and establishes criteria of prominence for local films and TV shows, which must be visible on their platforms. Marcelo Cajueiro, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prominence

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of prominence was in 1533

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prominence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prominence. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

prominence

noun
prom·​i·​nence ˈpräm(-ə)-nən(t)s How to pronounce prominence (audio)
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 How to pronounce prominence (audio)
: an elevation or projection on an anatomical structure (as a bone)

More from Merriam-Webster on prominence

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