prominence

noun

prom·​i·​nence ˈprä-mə-nən(t)s How to pronounce prominence (audio)
ˈpräm-nən(t)s
Synonyms of prominencenext
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 of prominence

Relevance
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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
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.
Known for risqué stand-up routines and battles with drugs and alcohol, Brand rose to prominence in the early 2000s, hosting television programs and his own BBC radio show. — ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026 The sentences cap a stunning downfall for the brothers, particularly Tal and Oren, who rose to prominence as luxury real estate brokers handling multimillion-dollar properties and catering to wealthy clients. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026 After the birth of the star system in Hollywood, Parsons and Hopper rose to prominence as gossip columnists who could make and break careers, and choose to keep or expose celebrities’ secrets. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 27 Oct. 2026 In forming collective decisions, for example, students throughout Serbia took turns speaking in public so that no one of them gained prominence. — The Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prominence

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of prominence was in 1533

Rhymes for prominence

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Browse Nearby Words

Promin
prominence
prominency
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Cite this Entry

“Prominence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prominence. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

prominence

noun
prom·​i·​nence ˈpräm(-ə)-nən(t)s How to pronounce prominence (audio)
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 How to pronounce prominence (audio)
: an elevation or projection on an anatomical structure (as a bone)

More from Merriam-Webster on prominence

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about prominence

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