promontory

noun

prom·​on·​to·​ry ˈprä-mən-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce promontory (audio)
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
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.
The proposal includes the creation of two artificial headlands or small promontories extending out on the beach to hold the sand in place. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025 Sun worshipers can wile away summer afternoons at one of the public or private beaches that linea long stretch of coastline tucked between two promontories, Capo Nero and Capo Sant’Ampelio. Catherine Sabino, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025 These are separated by the Sorrento Peninsula, a promontory of land that pokes southwestward and includes the city of Sorrento on its northern shore and the Amalfi Coast along is southern stretch. Tom Mullen, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025 Far below, waves lashed Punta Chiappa, a rugged promontory that stretches from the base of Monte di Portofino into the sea. From San Rocco, the trail meandered past a cluster of tidy houses, their gardens fragrant with rosemary and citrus, before plunging into the forest. Gina Decaprio Vercesi, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for promontory

Word History

Etymology

Latin promunturium, promonturium; probably akin to prominēre to jut forth — more at prominent

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of promontory was in 1548

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Promontory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/promontory. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

promontory

noun
prom·​on·​to·​ry ˈpräm-ən-ˌtōr-ē How to pronounce promontory (audio)
-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- How to pronounce promontory (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on promontory

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