highlight

1 of 2

noun

high·​light ˈhī-ˌlīt 

plural highlights

1

a

: something (such as an event or detail) that is of major significance or special interest

Visiting the Alps was a highlight of their trip to Europe.

b

: a summary of the most significant or interesting parts of something (such as a completed sporting event) presented typically on a television broadcast

—usually plural

watched highlights of the night's games

2

: a spot or area that is lighter than surrounding spots or areas: such as

a

: the lightest part or one of the lightest parts of a painting, drawing, etc.

especially : one that depicts the areas of the subject receiving the greatest amount of illumination

added highlights to the painting

used white pencil for the highlights and charcoal for the shadows

b

: a lighter area of the hair

specifically : such an area created artificially (as through the application of chemical substances)

—usually plural

brown hair with blond highlights

highlight

2 of 2

verb

highlighted; highlighting; highlights

transitive verb

1

: to throw a strong light on

The moon highlighted the tree tops.

Outdoor lighting is an important part of any garden design, providing ambiance and highlighting key features like plants, water features, and walkways.

—East End Taste Magazine (online)

2

a

: to center attention on : emphasize, stress

The speech will highlight the need for education reform.

b

: to constitute a significant or especially interesting part of : to constitute a highlight of

His trip to Italy was highlighted by a visit to the Colosseum.

The defending champion Bulldogs won three events, highlighted by Kowal's record in the 100-meter breaststroke …

—Harvey Araton

3

a

: to mark (text) with or as if with a highlighter (see highlighter sense 2)

Encourage them to keep a journal and to highlight important entries.

—Jessica Schrader

Whenever this pattern reversed itself, the numbers in Table 2 were highlighted in bold print.

—LuAnn Soliah et al.

b

: to cause (something, such as text or an icon) to be displayed in a way that stands out on an electronic screen (as of a computer or smartphone)

highlighted the sentence and deleted it

By clicking on highlighted words, called hot links, you're instantly taken to other Internet sites that offer additional or related information.

—Victoria Von Biel

4

: to add highlights (see highlight entry 1 sense 2b) to (hair)

Jonathan, old enough now that he no longer lets his mom highlight his thick brown hair, plays guitar and likes to shoot hoops with his dad …

—Patrick Rogers, et al.

To add drama to her already highlighted hair, Beyoncé has fine, platinum highlights temporarily bonded to the strands around her face.

—Barb Sgroi

Synonyms

Verb

• emphasize
• feature
• stress

Examples of highlight in a Sentence

Noun

I missed the game, but I saw the highlights on the evening news.

Verb

Unfortunately, the media insisted upon highlighting his troubled past.

Our trip was highlighted by a great jazz concert we attended.

The students highlighted important vocabulary words in their textbooks.

Important names and dates in each chapter are highlighted.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Castelion highlights that its weapon systems are fast and affordable to use. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025

October dazzled skywatchers with celestial highlights such as the Orionid meteor shower, the appearance of comet Lemmon and comet Swan, and even an asteroid tagging along Earth like a second moon. —Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 27 Oct. 2025

Verb

The alternative story of Helen’s Egyptian detour invites a more critical examination of the relationship between war and story by highlighting the degree to which humans have been conditioned by a narrative that presents war as the ultimate stage for personal and national glory. —Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025

The exhibition highlighted the fusion of tradition and modernity, East and West, and art and technology — all through the innovative use of traditional craftsmanship. —Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1658, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for highlight

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight

Kids Definition

highlight

1 of 2 noun

high·​light ˈhī-ˌlīt 

1

: the brightest spot or area (as in a painting or drawing)

2

: something (as an event or detail) that is of major interest

highlight

2 of 2 verb

highlighted; highlighting

1

: to throw a strong light on

2

a

: to center attention on : emphasize

b

: to be a highlight of

3

a

: to mark (text) with a highlighter pen

b

: to cause (as text) to stand out on a computer screen