footlights

plural noun

foot·​lights ˈfu̇t-ˌlīts 

1

: a row of lights set across the front of a stage floor

2

: the stage as a profession

the lure of the footlights

Examples of footlights in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In front, under the footlights, is the orchestra pit, with stairway to musician’s dressing and locker rooms under the stage. — San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Aug. 2022

In the wake of racial and cultural reckonings, artistic leaders are also struggling to figure out how to hold onto existing audiences while doing a better job of creating a more inclusive theatrical environment on both sides of the footlights. — Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2022

Marianne Elliott, and the understudies and COVID safety teams who've kept the footlights on in an uncertain time. — Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 13 June 2022

My last chance to tread the boards had fizzled, the footlights shut down, and why not? — Cynthia Ozick, The New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for footlights

• alights
• ascites
• barytes
• campsites
• chondrites
• daylights
• delights
• excites
• flashlights
• floodlights
• graphites
• headlights

Kids Definition

footlights

plural noun

foot·​lights ˈfu̇t-ˌlīts 

1

: a row of lights set across the front of a stage floor

2

: acting on the stage as a profession

the attraction of the footlights