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

Miller, 39, is a former Capitol Hill staffer who rose to prominence as a fiery Trump speechwriter and key architect of his immigration policies from 2017 to 2021. —Elliot Spagat, The Denver Post, 12 Nov. 2024

One of the Palestinian leaders Israel targeted in an October strike on Ain al-Hilweh camp, in Saida, came to prominence in this 1980s power vacuum. —Sarah E. Parkinson, Foreign Affairs, 11 Nov. 2024

Raphinha essentially lost his place to the La Masia product after Lamine gradually earned starting prominence under Xavi Hernandez, but Raphinha was always a good sport and welcomed the competition. —Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Prior to his pop prominence, Jones worked with Frank Sinatra beginning in 1958. —Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 5 Nov. 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)