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
A.d. Amorosi, SPIN, 4 May 2026
But instead of walking out into an adoring limelight, only a handful of zoo workers and passersby witnessed the pivotal moment.
—Audrey Pachuta, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
After weeks of seeming sidelined by his boss and the more interventionist members of the administration, such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vance may appreciate a moment in the global limelight and will be disinclined to leave the talks empty-handed.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026
However, panicle hydrangeas like limelight that bloom in the summer.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for limelight
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Noun
Yet, rather than stick her face in socials or seek limelight following such hit-making, Perry dedicated a decade to her home-studio’s red light and also recovering from a 2022 double mastectomy for cancer discovered while prepping for elective reduction surgery.
—A.d. Amorosi, SPIN, 4 May 2026
But instead of walking out into an adoring limelight, only a handful of zoo workers and passersby witnessed the pivotal moment.
—Audrey Pachuta, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
After weeks of seeming sidelined by his boss and the more interventionist members of the administration, such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vance may appreciate a moment in the global limelight and will be disinclined to leave the talks empty-handed.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026
However, panicle hydrangeas like limelight that bloom in the summer.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for limelight
Cite this Entry
“Limelight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/limelight. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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