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

Showbiz is Liza Minnelli: someone who’s been through it, over and over again, but gets up on that stage, feels the footlights, and their inner truth just beams out. —Vulture, 2 Feb. 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

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

Fountain Theatre discussed the ruling across the footlights, right in the middle of a live show. —Margaret Gray, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 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

With the footlights now illuminated once more, has there been any true transformation? —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 31 May 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

Elsewhere are 11 bedrooms, 8.5 bathrooms, a grand salon, library and theater with original footlights and a bar. —Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2022

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Word History

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

footlights

noun plural

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