1
a
: a stage lighting instrument producing illumination by means of an oxyhydrogen flame directed on a cylinder of lime and usually equipped with a lens to concentrate the light in a beam
b
: the white light produced by such an instrument
c
British
: spotlight
2
: the center of public attention
Examples of limelight in a Sentence
Noun
an actress who discovered that the limelight was not such a glowing experience when her privacy was invaded
Recent Examples on the Web
Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
My poetry began as a father’s sly growl, became a spectacle on a rickety stage washed in limelight, and now is a 70-year-old woman’s walk back into a thousand yesterdays.
—Via Scribner, Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2025
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair is returning to the international limelight as the prospective head of an authority tasked with the reconstruction of Gaza.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Trumps otherwise basked in the royal limelight on Wednesday, visibly enjoying the pomp and ceremony, which included a royal gun salute, carriage procession through Windsor and guard of honor.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for limelight
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Noun
The city has largely avoided the brunt of the immigration limelight somehow, with Chicago in full focus in recent days.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
My poetry began as a father’s sly growl, became a spectacle on a rickety stage washed in limelight, and now is a 70-year-old woman’s walk back into a thousand yesterdays.
—Via Scribner, Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2025
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair is returning to the international limelight as the prospective head of an authority tasked with the reconstruction of Gaza.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Trumps otherwise basked in the royal limelight on Wednesday, visibly enjoying the pomp and ceremony, which included a royal gun salute, carriage procession through Windsor and guard of honor.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for limelight
Cite this Entry
“Limelight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/limelight. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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