promontory

American  

[prom-uhn-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] / ˈprɒm ənˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

noun

• promontories
  plural

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.

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promontory British  

/ -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

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promontory Scientific  

/ prŏm′ən-tôr′ē /

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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• promontories
  plural

Etymology

Origin of promontory

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

Explanation

A promontory is a high, rocky cliff jutting into a body of water. A promontory is just the kind of thing a heroine will threaten to throw herself off of if the love of her life does not return to her. A promontory can be a foreland, headland, or rocky cliff. Think Ireland’s Cliffs of Moher jutting into the sea. Connect promontory with prominent, "important or sticking out," project, "estimate forward" and protrude, "stick out," which also carry this sense of jutting out. In anatomy, promontory can refer to a projecting part of the body.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

promontory promontories

“Set within one of the city’s most secure gated enclaves, this newly rebuilt estate spans five acres on a commanding promontory, opening to sweeping mountain views and complete seclusion,” the description adds.

From MarketWatch ● May 20, 2026

Artisanal makers of goat cheeses can be found along undulating roads through greenery that dead end at the foreboding promontory of Cabo Espichel.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 27, 2026

The city occupies a promontory overlooking the Irtysh River in northeastern Kazakhstan and was first recorded in the early 2000s.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 5, 2025

A Turkish sponge diver in 1982 first reported spotting “metal biscuits with ears” off a rocky promontory known as Uluburun.

From New York Times ● Jun. 20, 2024

For three thousand years, this little promontory has known sieges.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr

The promontories draw the most visitors, but the best place on the island is its wooden-benched amphitheater, where you can lounge and forget the city behind you.

From Slate ● Jun. 7, 2021

On the other side, promontories above the deep pool are a perfect place to show off your diving.

From The Guardian ● Apr. 10, 2016

Although appreciated by some critics, the modern-dress piece, supplemented lavishly by video and evocations of wind-swept Greek promontories, struck others as odd and ponderous.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 10, 2016

South from the lighthouse, the palm-lined boardwalk overlooks craggy promontories and sandy beaches of bright green-blue water that make scenic spots for a stroll, picnic, tryst, tan or splash.

From New York Times ● Aug. 8, 2013

Hills flattened into nothingness, lowlands rose until they merged with promontories, and every part of Durham was revealed and intelligible in the gelid light.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

Related Words

• bluff
• jetty