Salient Definition & Meaning

salient
adjective
  1. having a quality that thrusts itself into attention; "an outstanding fact of our time is that nations poisoned by anti semitism proved less fortunate in regard to their own freedom"; "a new theory is the most prominent feature of the book"; "salient traits"; "a spectacular rise in prices"; "a striking thing about Picadilly Circus is the statue of Eros in the center"; "a striking resemblance between parent and child"
  2. (of angles) pointing outward at an angle of less than 180 degrees
  3. represented as leaping (rampant but leaning forward)
noun
  1. (military) the part of the line of battle that projects closest to the enemy

"Salient" in song lyrics

See how salient is used in real songs:

  • "ypres salient"
    AOL — AOL
  • "pronunciation of ypres salient"
    AOL — AOL
  • "thomas becker and gabriel in salient"
    AOL — AOL

Usage tips for "salient"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "salient" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for salient to find words that pair well.

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