prominence

noun

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

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 In Britain, politicians from the governing Conservative Party, which has held power for 14 years, have supported this educational current, borrowing from the techniques of American charter schools and educators who rose to prominence in the late 2000s. Emma Bubola, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2024 The rise to prominence has stunned even the generational talent at the center of it all. Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2024 Mitchell, who rose to prominence via roles in Pretty Little Liars and You, founded Béis in 2018 with just five employees, after seeing a gap in the market for luggage that was equally fashionable, functional, and affordable. Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Mar. 2024 Despite coming to prominence via comedy, Tyers is not worried about being typecast. K.j. Yossman, Variety, 6 Mar. 2024 American independent filmmaking returns to prominence with a varied slate of movies. The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2024 When a nascent technology like AI rockets to prominence, investors must catch up, and learn to be discerning. Byallie Garfinkle, Fortune, 29 Feb. 2024 The two-and-a-half minute clip is driven by Tom Hardy’s Johnny, the tough guy founder of the biker gang, and establishes how the Vandals rose to prominence. Angelique Jackson, Variety, 29 Feb. 2024 Their rise to prominence over the last 50 years has not only shaped life for the 10 million residents of L.A. County but also for all of California. Laurel Rosenhall, Los Angeles Times, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prominence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near prominence

Cite this Entry

“Prominence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prominence. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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

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