spotlight

play

noun spot·light \ ˈspät-ˌlīt \

Definition of spotlight

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

See spotlight defined for English-language learners

See spotlight defined for kids

Examples of spotlight in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of spotlight from the Web

According to her former boss, Hicks has always valued keeping her clients in the spotlight while avoiding it herself.

— brittney mcnamara, Teen Vogue, "Hope Hicks: What to Know About the Interim White House Communications Director," 28 Aug. 2017
Performing a medley and accepting her Video Vanguard award, P!nk used her moment in the spotlight to make a fashionable statement.

— elizabeth logan, Glamour, "The 10 Most Politically-Charged Moments of the 2017 VMAs," 27 Aug. 2017
Four plays after Northern Illinois recruit Charles Robinson forced a turnover on the Lancers' first play, Logan stepped into the spotlight with little hesitation.

— blake baumgartner, Naperville Sun, "Tanner Westwood sparks rally, but Waubonsie Valley loses to Lake Park," 26 Aug. 2017
The effect may not be obvious until a related issue is thrust into the spotlight like this month’s violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the resulting backlash against Confederate symbols.

— Washington Post, "Civil war lessons often depend on where the classroom is," 22 Aug. 2017
One day in the spotlight happened two years ago while hosting Northwestern.

— eric olson, The Seattle Times, "Nebraska student managers keep Big Red operation running," 19 Aug. 2017
On Tuesday, the streaming giant announced a huge get: David Letterman, who has largely stayed out of the spotlight since his departure from The Late Show in 2015.

— laura bradley, HWD, "Letterman Would Love to Interview Trump and Kim Jong-un on His New Show," 8 Aug. 2017
In 2004, Twain stopped performing and retreated to the family's estate in Switzerland to escape the spotlight.

— samantha drake, Country Living, "Shania Twain's Greatest Heartbreak Fueled Her New Album," 2 Aug. 2017
That's the center of the conversation around Ezrah Dormon, a 12-year-old boy who's under the internet spotlight for his tattooing skills.

— lilian min, Cosmopolitan, "Would You Let This 12-Year-Old Tattoo You?," 1 Aug. 2017

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

First Known Use of spotlight

1904

spotlight Synonyms

Synonyms

catbird seat, limelight, center stage, top billing

Related Words

front burner; attention, heed, notice

Near Antonyms

back burner

spotlight

verb

Definition of spotlight

spotlighted or -lit; spotlighting

transitive verb

1 :to illuminate with a spotlight

2 :to direct attention to :highlight

See spotlight defined for English-language learners

Examples of spotlight in a Sentence

She was spotlighted as she sang her solo.
The news spotlighted the city's financial problems.

Recent Examples of spotlight from the Web

Traffic Lab is a Seattle Times project that digs into the region’s thorny transportation issues, spotlights promising approaches to easing gridlock, and helps readers find the best ways to get around.

— mike lindblom, The Seattle Times, "King County Metro plans single-rate bus fares systemwide," 24 Aug. 2017
In addition to Ms. Barnea, the 75-minute film (which can be viewed on Netflix and Amazon) spotlights a 91-year-old tennis player, octogenarian racewalkers and septuagenarian sprinters, weight lifters and boxers.

— kerry hannon, New York Times, "She Just Won 3 Gold Medals for Her Swimming. She’s Only 73.," 11 Aug. 2017
Banning U.S. aid for birth control The impact on Africa of Trump moves to ban birth control aid was well spotlighted on Vice News Tonight on HBO.

— The Hive, "Wall Street Has Officially Learned to Ignore Trump," 27 July 2017
The old spotlights that once lit up the 86-year-old building have been replaced with banks of LED lights.

— ian cummings, kansascity, "At KC’s Western Auto building, residents try to relight an iconic neon sign," 26 July 2017
The hotel's secret garden is the venue for the school's barbecue class, which spotlights grilling techniques for meat, fish, and vegetables.

— sam dangremond, Town & Country, "The Ritz Paris Has a Secret Cooking School," 20 July 2017
Ashley Graham — author, model, and body-positivity queen — just spotlighted a super-easy trick that people with big breasts can use to rock string bikini tops all summer long.

— lizzie logan, Teen Vogue, "Ashley Graham Shows Off Genius Bikini Fix for People With Big Breasts," 13 July 2017
The event spotlights the Magic City's new technologies and the inventors, investors, entrepreneurs and supporters who sustain and develop them.

— lee roop | lroop@al.com, AL.com, "Discount Divas, new jobs, a marijuana sellout in AL.com business news," 10 July 2017
MLB.com's Cut4 posted video on Twitter of a rundown that required six Tampa Bay Rays - and ultimately left fielder Mallex Smith (spotlighted) - to tag out Hamilton.

— dave clark, Cincinnati.com, "Watch: How many Rays does it take to catch Billy Hamilton?," 23 June 2017

First Known Use of spotlight

1907

SPOTLIGHT Defined for English Language Learners

spotlight

play

noun

Definition of spotlight for English Language Learners

: a device that directs a narrow, bright beam of light on a small area
: the area of light created by a spotlight
the spotlight : public attention or notice

spotlight

verb

Definition of spotlight for English Language Learners

: to shine a spotlight on (someone or something)
: to give special attention to (something)

SPOTLIGHT Defined for Kids

spotlight

play

noun spot·light \ ˈspät-ˌlīt \

Definition of spotlight for Students

1 :a spot of light used to show up a particular area, person, or thing (as on a stage)

2 :public notice

She's a celebrity but doesn't like the spotlight.

3 :a lamp used to direct a narrow strong beam of light on a small area

spotlight

verb

Definition of spotlight for Students

spotlighted or spotlit \ˈspät-ˌlit\; spotlighting

1 :to light up with or as if with a spotlight

2 :to bring to public attention

Learn More about spotlight

See words that rhyme with spotlight Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for spotlight Spanish Central: Translation of spotlight Nglish: Translation of spotlight for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of spotlight for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spotlight

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spotlight

Definition of spotlight

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SPOTLIGHT Defined for English Language Learners

spotlight

Definition of spotlight for English Language Learners

spotlight

Definition of spotlight for English Language Learners

SPOTLIGHT Defined for Kids

spotlight

Definition of spotlight for Students

spotlight

Definition of spotlight for Students

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