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

• altitude(s)
• elevation
• eminence
• height
• highland
• hill
• hump
• mound
• rise
• upland

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

Her accolades include a David Di Donatello award and a Cesar nomination. Actress and model Bellucci first rose to prominence in the 1990s with performances in Bram Stoker’s Dracula and The Apartment, which earned her a César nomination, followed by Under Suspicion, Malèna, and Irréversible. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 9 May 2025

Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation Maven Huffman first rose to prominence in the wrestling world as the co-winner of WWE's inaugural season of the reality competition series Tough Enough in 2001. —Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025

But, for the everyday Californians who keep the lights on in our world-leading economy, this newfound prominence is at odds with their daily struggle to make ends meet. —Aref Aziz, Mercury News, 9 May 2025

As Arabic continues to gain prominence on the global stage, the need for effective and innovative language-learning solutions is greater than ever. —Geoffrey Alphonso, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025

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)