prominence

[ prom-uh-nuhns ]

noun

1. Also promi·nen·cy. the state of being prominent; conspicuousness.
2. something that is prominent; a projection or protuberance:

   a prominence high over a ravine.

   Synonyms: peak, precipice, height, promontory

3. Also called solar prominence. Astronomy. an eruption of a flamelike tongue of relatively cool, high-density gas from the solar chromosphere into the corona where it can be seen during a solar eclipse or by observing strong spectral lines in its emission spectrum.

prominence

/ ˈprɒmɪnəns /

noun

1. the state or quality of being prominent
2. something that is prominent, such as a protuberance
3. relative importance or consequence
4. astronomy an eruption of incandescent gas from the sun's surface that can reach an altitude of several hundred thousand kilometres. Prominences are visible during a total eclipse. When viewed in front of the brighter solar disc, they are called filaments

prominence

/ prŏm′ə-nəns /

1. An eruption of tonguelike clouds of glowing ionized gas extending from the Sun's chromosphere and sometimes reaching hundreds of thousands of kilometers into space. When viewed against the solar surface instead of along the edges of its disk, prominences appear as dark, sinuous lines known as filaments . Usually associated with sunspot activity, solar prominences can influence Earth's atmosphere by interfering with electromagnetic activity.
2. ◆ Active prominences erupt suddenly and usually disappear within minutes or hours. Quiescent prominences form more smoothly and can last for several months.
3. See also solar flare

Other Words From

• non·promi·nence noun
• over·promi·nence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of prominence¹

First recorded in 1590–1600, prominence is from the Latin word prōminentia a jutting out, protuberance. See prominent, -ence

Example Sentences

Then there’s the low-slung look of the seating, unlike the vertical prominence of modern stadiums.

From Los Angeles Times

“The Order” looks to bring a sense of understanding as to how a figure like Matthews can rise to prominence, while also being careful not to seem sympathetic to his despicable cause.

From Los Angeles Times

Also, Black folks at the time who were upwardly mobile were seeking to be something different than what they had not been afforded in the south, so they’re presenting prominence and pride with that physicality.

From New York Times

A member of the National Academy of Medicine and professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Makary rose to prominence with a simple operating room “checklist” he developed to eliminate surgical mistakes.

From Science Magazine

His lawyers claim that Universal “conspired with and paid currently unknown parties” to “artificially” boost the prominence of Not Like Us.

From BBC

Related Words

• celebrity
• eminence
• fame
• greatness
• importance
• prestige
• renown
• reputation
• standing