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

The prominence of this archetypal Jenkins image, in which a subject directly returns the viewer’s gaze, neatly captures the tension of the creative pairing that brought the film to life. —Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 20 Dec. 2024

Jackson rose to prominence during a time when mainstream success often required Black artists to downplay their racial identity to achieve crossover appeal. —Sughnen Yongo, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024

The current edition brings this feature to prominence, popping up a reminder that enabling it can optimize your experience. —PCMAG, 17 Dec. 2024

For the city’s school chancellor, who rose to prominence a couple of years ago for leading the school system’s response to migrant families arriving in the city, the issue is personal. —Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 17 Dec. 2024

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

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)