marquee

1 of 2

noun

mar·​quee mär-ˈkē 

1

chiefly British : a large tent set up for an outdoor party, reception, or exhibition

2

a

: a permanent canopy often of metal and glass projecting over an entrance (as of a hotel or theater)

The hotel doorman was stationed under the marquee.

b

: a sign usually over the entrance of a theater or arena that displays the names of featured attractions and principal performers

The brightly lighted marquee displayed the title of the movie currently featured.

marquee

2 of 2

adjective

: having or associated with the name recognition and attraction of one whose name appears on a marquee : big-name, star

marquee athletes

marquee events

Examples of marquee in a Sentence

Noun

She dreamed of seeing her name on the theater marquee.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Chefs on the Move Margot Combat This marquee drinks expert has arrived in New York to take up residence at the chef Alain Ducasse’s Benoit until June 11, turning the bar into a Cheffe Cocktail pop-up. —Florence Fabricant, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2024

Morgan Wallen Arrested on Felony Charges After Throwing Chair from Nashville Rooftop Bar The official Instagram for Chief's shared a photo of the marquee on Tuesday, as well as a full shot of the six-story building, taken from across the street to show its scale. —Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Adjective

modification of French marquise, literally, marchioness

First Known Use

Noun

1690, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1946, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

marquee

noun

mar·​quee

mär-ˈkē

1

: a large tent set up for an outdoor party or exhibition

2

: a rooflike structure sticking out over an entrance

a theater marquee