klieg light

noun

variants or less commonly kleig light
Synonyms of klieg lightnext
: a carbon arc lamp used especially formerly in making movies
often now used figuratively
By issuing the code, Chief Justice Roberts may well have turned off, or at least lowered the intensity of, those klieg lights of public scrutiny.Bill Newman

Examples of klieg light in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Moreover, all recent presidents have resorted to the degrading spectacle of dragging humble fellow citizens into the spotlight, either to celebrate their achievements or, far worse, to make a spectacle of their private grief by putting it under the klieg lights of national publicity. Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026 For the Monday night L.A. premiere, Norms was re-created with a banger party complete with klieg lights and a guest DJ set by The Crystal Method, who Verbinski once shot a music video for. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026 As The Hollywood Reporter and Launchmetrics kick off the Red Carpet Power Rankings for the third consecutive year, the impact of walking the red carpet — or avoiding it altogether — enjoyed a klieg light of attention at the first awards show of the 2026 season, Sunday’s Critics Choice Awards. Laurie Brookins, HollywoodReporter, 9 Jan. 2026 Payton was meant for a blue blood organization like the Broncos, suited for the klieg lights. Troy Renck, Denver Post, 30 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for klieg light

Word History

Etymology

John H. Kliegl †1959 & Anton T. Kliegl †1927 German-born American lighting experts

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of klieg light was in 1919

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Klieg light.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/klieg%20light. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

klieg light

noun
variants or kleig light
: a very bright lamp used in taking motion pictures

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