prominence

[prom-uh-nuhns]

noun

1. Also prominency. 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

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 Word Forms

• nonprominence noun
• overprominence 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

“Some people, they somehow just have the ability to have the same picture of you and they’re not intimidated by it,” she says of her growing prominence.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Four years after Lincoln Riley arrived at USC amid gaudy promises to return the football program to national prominence, well, two words.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Ms. Boone was a central figure of the ’80s New York art world, and many of the artists included in this show rose to prominence while exhibiting at her SoHo gallery.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Once a relatively obscure figure, he came to national prominence in 2009 when he started Radio Biafra, a station that called for an independent state for the Igbo people, broadcast to Nigeria from London.

Read more on BBC

The BJP rose to national prominence in part by championing the temple to Ram.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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