1
a
: a stage lighting instrument producing illumination by means of an oxyhydrogen flame directed on a cylinder of lime and usually equipped with a lens to concentrate the light in a beam
b
: the white light produced by such an instrument
c
British
: spotlight
2
: the center of public attention
Examples of limelight in a Sentence
Noun
an actress who discovered that the limelight was not such a glowing experience when her privacy was invaded
Recent Examples on the Web
Jordan Moreau, Variety, 26 Aug. 2025
Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images India’s tax reform plans portend a consumption boom
At a time when U.S. trade tariffs on India have been making headlines, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tax relief plans have stolen some of the media limelight.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2025
With the iPhone 17 launch slated for early September, the Korean company will almost certainly release new discounts for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and attempt to steal some of Apple’s limelight.
—Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
The absence of two global heavy hitters leaves ample limelight for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will visit Brazil both for the summit and a state visit.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for limelight
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Noun
After a bit of talking back and forth, the couple had their official first date in New York and, since then, have been unable to stay away from the public and media limelight.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 26 Aug. 2025
Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images India’s tax reform plans portend a consumption boom
At a time when U.S. trade tariffs on India have been making headlines, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tax relief plans have stolen some of the media limelight.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2025
With the iPhone 17 launch slated for early September, the Korean company will almost certainly release new discounts for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and attempt to steal some of Apple’s limelight.
—Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
The absence of two global heavy hitters leaves ample limelight for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will visit Brazil both for the summit and a state visit.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for limelight
Cite this Entry
“Limelight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/limelight. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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