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.
The space and prominence Barbera has accorded to nonfiction has only grown in the years since. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026 In 2012, Wong rose to prominence as a high school student leading protests against the introduction of national education in Hong Kong schools. — ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026 During their time apart, the world in which the soulful Southern rock outfit from Athens, Alabama, rose first to prominence and then to stardom, was upended in just about every way that mattered — socially, politically, and musically. — Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 30 Aug. 2026 The Black Lives Matter movement gained national prominence in 2013 following the acquittal of George Zimmerman, a 28-year-old neighborhood watch volunteer who fatally shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida, the previous year. — Emile Nuh, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 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 4 Sep. 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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