spotlight

noun spot·light \ ˈspät-ˌlīt \

|Updated on: 17 Jun 2018

Examples: spotlight in a Sentence

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

Three Tall Women’’ — also held a share of the spotlight as two of its three stars, Glenda Jackson and Laurie Metcalf, were honored as best lead actress and best featured actress in a play.

— don aucoin, BostonGlobe.com, "‘The Band’s Visit’ wins big at Tony Awards," 11 June 2018
The reductive media glare prompted the actress to back out of the spotlight completely a decade ago, the actress told Gwyneth Paltrow at the Goop In Health Summit Saturday.

— andrea mandell, USA TODAY, "Here's how Meg Ryan really feels about that 'America's Sweetheart' title," 10 June 2018
The former Medellin Cartel leader’s family has been living in Argentina, relatively out of the spotlight, since the 1990s after Escobar was shot and killed in 1993.

— Fox News, "Pablo Escobar’s widow, son charged with money laundering in Argentina," 7 June 2018
Although Blue Ivy, the couple's oldest daughter, accompanied her parents to the 2018 Grammy Awards (and promptly became the year's best meme), Rumi and Sir have been kept out of the spotlight until now.

— ruby buddemeyer, Marie Claire, "Beyoncé's Babies Already Have Body Doubles," 7 June 2018
Buy Photo The team that loses that final game is suddenly ushered out of the spotlight, but getting to that point is a tremendous feat, especially while competing in the NJSIAA Non-Public A baseball state tournament.

— marc narducci, Philly.com, "St. Augustine looking to change recent history in Non-Public A state baseball final," 7 June 2018
According to reports from the White House which is about as believable as Verbal Kent spinning a yarn, Melania returned home on Saturday, May 19, but remained out of the spotlight.

— stephen a. crockett jr., The Root, "Wait, Was That a Melania Trump Lookalike?," 5 June 2018
When that story came out, the first lady stayed out of the spotlight too.

— emily stewart, Vox, "“Where’s Melania?” and the first lady’s return to the public eye, explained," 5 June 2018
Through it all, Peterson stayed quiet and out of the spotlight.

— NBC News, "Parkland officer Scot Peterson's message to families: 'I'm sorry'," 5 June 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

spotlight Synonyms

spotlight

verb

Definition of spotlight

spotlighted or spotlit; 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

But if anything, the resurgence of the #MeToo movement, by spotlighting the continuedsecond-class treatment of women in our society, shows us that the ERA is more important than ever.

— stephanie russell-kraft, The New Republic, "Why the Equal Rights Amendment Still Matters," 14 June 2018
For United States fans, the tournament initially spotlights a conspicuous (and embarrassing) reality: the Americans failed to qualify, and – for the first time since 1986 – will be absent from the World Cup.

— hayden bird, BostonGlobe.com, "Your guide to the 2018 World Cup," 11 June 2018
This free public event spotlights the full festival lineup, which includes new additions like Chicago Dance Crash and Natya Dance Theatre.

— oliver sava, Chicago Reader, "The Stomping Grounds festival finale caps off two months of percussive dancing for peace," 6 June 2018
The report spotlights the stories of the five people with mental health problems who died and includes interviews with their families and footage of jail staff carrying or rolling their bodies out of the lock-up on stretchers.

— emily lane, NOLA.com, "Death rate at Baton Rouge jail 2.5 times the national average: report," 1 June 2018
The show spotlights the efforts of nine real-life people who attempted, with varying degrees of success, to kill eight presidents.

— deborah martin, San Antonio Express-News, "The Public puts the audience in the midst of ‘Assassins’," 31 May 2018
Baron spotlights sweet spot prawns caught by Adam Aliotti of the Ocean Warrior boat, one of only three people with a spot prawn fishing permit for the Monterey Bay.

— carolyn jung, San Francisco Chronicle, "Salt Wood Kitchen highlights local seafood in Monterey," 29 May 2018
The President first spotlighted former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s decision to kneel during the national anthem at a campaign rally in September of 2017, using the purported disrespect of the American flag as fuel for his fan base.

— conor orr, SI.com, "The Anthem Policy: Another Signature Moment for Roger Goodell and the Blundering NFL," 24 May 2018
Featuring Instagram influencers like Alexandra Pereira, Candela Pelizza, and Tamu McPherson, the book spotlights each woman’s appreciation for their most prized shoes, handbags, and accessories from the renowned label.

— melania hidalgo, The Cut, "Roger Vivier Publishes an Instagram-Inspired Book," 22 May 2018