marquee

noun mar·quee \ mär-ˈkē \

|Updated on: 20 Jun 2018

Definition of marquee

1 chiefly British : a large tent set up for an outdoor party, reception, or exhibition

2 a : a permanent canopy often of metal and glass projecting over an entrance (as of a hotel or theater)

The hotel doorman was stationed under the marquee.

b : a sign usually over the entrance of a theater or arena that displays the names of featured attractions and principal performers

The brightly lighted marquee displayed the title of the movie currently featured.

See marquee defined for English-language learners

See marquee defined for kids

Examples of marquee in a Sentence

She dreamed of seeing her name on the theater marquee.

Recent Examples of marquee from the Web

North Dakota North Dakota also has a primary on June 12, but in the marquee race, Representative Kevin Cramer is certain to win the Senate nomination to take on vulnerable Democratic incumbent Heidi Heitkamp.

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "GOP Could Get Even Trumpier in June 12 Primaries," 12 June 2018
This is not the only source of transfer news that the Hammers can get excited about however as, according to the Express, they are also being linked to two other marquee signings - Barcelona's Rafinha and Lazio's Felipe Anderson.

— SI.com, "Inside Report Reveals That West Ham Are Looking to Bring in Manchester United Players This Summer," 10 June 2018
His track record with marquee signings wasn’t as good, though how much of the blame lies with ownership’s limits on spending might never be known.

— jonathan tannenwald, Philly.com, "Earnie Stewart leaving Union at end of July to become GM of U.S. men's team," 6 June 2018
That’s what could happen in California’s marquee races for Senate and governor.

— steve peoples, BostonGlobe.com, "Democrats looking ahead as 8 states go to polls for primaries," 6 June 2018
At the same time, Republicans face the embarrassing prospect of failing to nominate any candidates in marquee races for the United States Senate and governor.

— steve peoples and michael blood, The Christian Science Monitor, "California, other midterm primary matchups show potential for blue wave," 5 June 2018
The 19-year-old Paraguayan attacking midfielder, considered a marquee signing for the Lions when he was brought to the club from Paraguay’s Primera División, wasn’t injured at the time.

— jordan culver, Pro Soccer USA, "Orlando City midfielder Josué Colmán learning, improving as season goes on," 30 May 2018
The weekend’s marquee race is Sunday night when 10 juveniles race in the Grade 2, $321,800 Robert Adair Kindergarten Futurity at 300 yards.

— john cherwa, latimes.com, "Racing! Jon White’s final Preakness rankings," 18 May 2018
The Republicans did have a marquee race — the often acrimonious contest for the gubernatorial nomination among attorney Paula Ellsworth, businessman Paul Mango, and Sen. Scott Wagner, all seeking to challenge Democratic Gov. Wolf in November.

— vinny vella, Philly.com, "In Pa. primary, enthusiasm and acrimony amid light turnout," 15 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'marquee.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of marquee

modification of French marquise, literally, marchioness

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1690

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Performing Arts Terms

diva, dramaturgy, loge, prestidigitation, proscenium, supernumerary, zany

marquee

adjective

Definition of marquee

: having or associated with the name recognition and attraction of one whose name appears on a marquee : big-name, star

marquee athletes

marquee events

See marquee defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of marquee from the Web

The Golden Eagles also have scheduled marquee home games against Kansas State (Dec. 1) and Wisconsin (Dec. 8).

— ben steele, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "New arena wows Marquette men's basketball players, coaches," 3 May 2018
And marquee Republican challengers are stepping up to run for the Senate, even as House GOP retirements pile up.

— james hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: Trump gets schooled in Syria on how much his words matter," 9 Apr. 2018
This marked one of the lighter moments in the fight for House District 99, which has become a costly, marquee battle, pitting two men whose families have been longtime friends.

— anna m. tinsley, star-telegram, "Ruh Roh. This Texas election went to the dogs | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 1 Mar. 2018
The Open era in tennis — the period when professionals were rightfully permitted to play the marquee events — will have its 50th birthday next year.

— christopher clarey, New York Times, "At U.S. Open, Women Surprise and New Rules Get a Trial Run," 11 Sep. 2017
The impact on you at home: In its recent earnings report, Nintendo said that sales were equal for both the Nintendo Switch and its marquee launch title, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

— ian paul, PCWorld, "Nintendo's beloved Legend of Zelda may be coming to phones," 15 May 2017

Origin and Etymology of marquee

see ¹marquee

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1946

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

MARQUEE Defined for English Language Learners

marquee

noun

Definition of marquee for English Language Learners

: a covered structure over the entrance to a building (such as a hotel or theater)
: a sign over the entrance to a theater that shows the name of the show, movie, play, etc., and the names of the main performers
: a large tent that is set up for an outdoor event (such as a party)