spot·light
ˈspät-ˌlīt 
1
a
: a projected spot of light used to illuminate brilliantly a person, object, or group on a stage
b
: public notice or attention
held the political spotlight
2
a
: a light designed to direct a narrow intense beam of light on a small area
b
: something that illuminates brilliantly
spotlighted or spotlit; spotlighting
Examples of spotlight in a Sentence
Noun
They aimed the spotlight at the center of the stage.
A spotlight moved across the stage.
The actor stood in the spotlight.
a baseball star who hates the spotlight
They're always in the spotlight.
The news article turned the spotlight on the city's financial problems.
Verb
She was spotlighted as she sang her solo.
The news spotlighted the city's financial problems.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ian Thomas, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2025
Pedro Pascal is shining a spotlight on protecting transgender women.
—Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Coming right out of CinemaCon, Parkes sees Variety’s Entertainment Marketing Summit as a chance for studios to further spotlight their wares.
—Matt Minton, Variety, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spotlight
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Noun
Collier, along with fellow WNBA superstar Breanna Stewart, saw an opportunity to replace that outdated approach, and looked to create something that could not only benefit the players financially but also shine a spotlight on their skills and personalities.
—Ian Thomas, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2025
Pedro Pascal is shining a spotlight on protecting transgender women.
—Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
My mission is to spotlight great art and culture globally.
—Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Coming right out of CinemaCon, Parkes sees Variety’s Entertainment Marketing Summit as a chance for studios to further spotlight their wares.
—Matt Minton, Variety, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spotlight
Cite this Entry
“Spotlight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spotlight. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
spotlight
1 of 2 noun
spot·light
ˈspät-ˌlīt
1
a
: a spot of light used to light up a particular area, person, or thing (as on a stage)
b
: public notice
2
: a light designed to direct a narrow strong beam of light on a small area
spotlight
2 of 2 verb
spotlighted or spotlit; spotlighting
1
: to light up with a spotlight
2
: to bring to public attention
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