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

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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.
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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.
Their candidates will be replacing members of Moms for Liberty — a conservative group that’s achieved many of its goals in Florida, but whose prominence has declined. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 19 Aug. 2026 After two consecutive losing seasons that followed its 13-0 march to an Atlantic Coast Conference championship in 2023, FSU once again underwent an offseason of change in the hopes of restoring its program to national prominence. — Andre C. Fernandez, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026 Unitree shot to national prominence last year after its robots took to China’s biggest stage, the annual Lunar New Year gala, with sleek dancing choreography. — John Liu, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026 Technically, the Concord colorway was the first pair the public saw when Jordan debuted it in a May 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals match-up against the Orlando Magic, forever establishing its prominence. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 18 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 21 Aug. 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

Nglish: Translation of prominence for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about prominence

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