promontory

[ prom-uhn-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]

noun

, plural prom·on·to·ries.

1. a high point of land or rock projecting into the sea or other water beyond the line of coast; a headland.
2. a bluff, or part of a plateau, overlooking a lowland.
3. Anatomy. a prominent or protuberant part.

promontory

/ -trɪ; ˈprɒməntərɪ /

noun

1. a high point of land, esp of rocky coast, that juts out into the sea
2. anatomy any of various projecting structures

promontory

/ prŏm′ən-tôr′ē /

1. A high ridge of land or a rock cliff jutting out into a body of water.

Word History and Origins

Origin of promontory¹

First recorded in 1540–50, promontory is from the Latin word prōmontorium, prōmunturium, of unclear derivation

Word History and Origins

Origin of promontory¹

C16: from Latin prōmunturium headland; related to prōminēre; see prominent

Example Sentences

Tread the sand of Laguna Beach past Halfway Rock to Cactus Point, the latter a rocky promontory with a tunnel near the surf line.

From Los Angeles Times

Native Americans built their villages across this promontory, and Malaga Cove has been a settlement for at least seven millennia.

From Los Angeles Times

First responders undergo special training in how to fight blazes in structures like Odesa’s sumptuous opera house, perched on a promontory above the seafront.

From Los Angeles Times

Its promontory along 35th Avenue Southwest oversees northern West Seattle and boasts a commanding view of downtown.

From Seattle Times

They also collected wood and charcoal from the settlement’s lowest, and therefore earliest, layers, which were visible as bands of black organic material in the promontory’s white sand.

From Science Magazine

Related Words

• bluff
• jetty