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

Cuisinart rose to prominence thanks to a close association with celebrity chefs in the 1970s.

From Popular-Science

Frontloading your title tag with your target keyword increases that keyword’s prominence, giving more weight to its importance.

From Search Engine Watch

YouTube’s prominence for NBC News rose as the revenue the platform earned increased.

From Digiday

Whatever prominences and other shapes in the corona are visible to observers on Earth will be headed right at the spacecraft.

From Science News

This type of model isn’t that progressive, but the ability to implement it is far ahead of where it was during previous economic downturns thanks to the prominence of tech platforms.

From Digiday

Being something of a political cipher may have helped Revels rise to prominence.

From The Daily Beast

He first rose to prominence as a lawyer in Queens, who settled a boiling racial dispute over public housing in Forest Hills.

From The Daily Beast

This puts them at odds with the countless polytheistic religions, where many gods compete for prominence.

From The Daily Beast

The opposite phenomenon also occurs: neglected writers who ascend to prominence only posthumously.

From The Daily Beast

He also gave unique prominence to Turkey in issues of state.

From The Daily Beast

The cruelty hidden in the beautiful lines of his mouth took instant prominence in the smile that flickered round it.

From Project Gutenberg

Old "Si Waterman's Folly," as the rumored "mine" was called, seemed to be coming into sudden prominence.

From Project Gutenberg

The Homestead developments had given him temporary prominence, thrown this particular hydra-head into bold relief, so to speak.

From Project Gutenberg

He placed it in prominence, instinctively or designedly, rejecting the merely complementary parts.

From Project Gutenberg

Keep the background in value as regards prominence and relief of objects as well as in the matter of color.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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