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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Head around the promontory of Swami’s Point, which was named after Paramahansa Yogananda of the Self-Realization Fellowship (George Harrison was a fan). Dakota Kim, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024 The white building gleams like a promontory of power, with trees from across the U.S. spread across the grounds below. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2024 Trinidad State Beach This beach runs along the western shore of this picturesque oceanside village, starting just north of Trinidad Head, a rocky promontory that shelters Trinidad Harbor and offers 360-degree coastal views along a 1.3-mile trail loop. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 1 July 2024 Agate Beach, Sue-meg State Park This long, narrow beach stretches north from the dramatic, lushly forested promontory that makes up Sue-meg State Park, north of Trinidad. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 1 July 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near promontory

Cite this Entry

“Promontory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/promontory. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

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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