spotlight

noun spot·light \ ˈspät-ˌlīt \

|Updated on: 12 Aug 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

The Uber saga has shined a spotlight on toxic workplace culture within the tech industry.

— alexia fernández campbell, Vox, "Uber’s HR chief steps down after reportedly ignoring racial discrimination complaints," 11 July 2018
But both trials have cast an unflattering spotlight on how the state went about awarding some of the contracts at the heart of the governor’s economic development efforts, including his flagship Buffalo Billion project.

— vivian wang, New York Times, "Culture of Fear and Ambition Distorted Cuomo’s Economic Projects," 5 July 2018
In addition to casting a spotlight on local talent, the festival showcases films from around the world.

— pam grady, SFChronicle.com, "Reel Local News: Frameline announces festival winners," 5 July 2018
That would be enough to get the spotlight on its own.

— jonathan tannenwald, Philly.com, "World Cup schedule, TV and streaming info: Lionel Messi's Argentina face France, Cristiano Ronaldo duels with Luis Suárez," 29 June 2018
But Metro also shined a spotlight on underserved schools.

— blair kerkhoff, kansascity, "Changes at Spectrum Sports cloud future of KC's all-sports cable station," 29 June 2018
Following Patty’s death, Michele Doel has taken the lead in their family in keeping a spotlight on the case.

— adam carlson, PEOPLE.com, "Tara Calico Mystery: The True Story Behind Notorious Polaroid Showing a Girl and Boy Bound in a Van," 25 June 2018
However, Initiative 77 shined a spotlight on some of the problems with the system.

— david lazarus, latimes.com, "There's little economic justification for tipping. But we can't stop doing it," 22 June 2018
The Senate has broad investigative and oversight powers, and can certainly cast a big spotlight on various unsavory aspects of the Trump administration.

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "The House Is in Play in 2018, But the Senate’s the Big Prize," 18 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

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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

The Mexican painter's 'Suicide of Dorothy Hale' is out of storage and back on the wall in an exhibit spotlighting women artists in the museum's permanent collection.

— kerry lengel, azcentral, "How the Phoenix Art Museum acquired Frida Kahlo’s 'Suicide' painting," 13 July 2018
This isn’t the first time the effects of modern society’s nature deprivation have gotten spotlighted.

— richard a. marini, San Antonio Express-News, "Massive new study review confirms nature nurtures your health," 12 July 2018
An exhibition opening in October at the Aperture Foundation in New York will spotlight the work of 25 semi-finalists.

— sarah nechamkin, The Cut, "Meet the Finalists for the New Vanguard Photography Prize," 2 July 2018
The series has previously spotlighted Chattanooga, Tenn., Montgomery, Ala., and Gothenburg, Sweden.

— molly sullivan, sacbee, "'A welcome lack of pretension': New York Times discovers Sacramento," 31 May 2018
In keeping with his claim that the inquiry is unfair, Mr. Trump has spotlighted revelations that a suspected informant approached members of his campaign in 2016 as part of a counterintelligence operation.

— peter nicholas, WSJ, "Trump Claims Russia Probe Aims to Help Democrats in Midterms," 29 May 2018
Since its inauguration in 1995, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show has spotlighted some of the biggest names in the modeling industry.

— lauren chval, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago model Leyna Bloom campaigning to become 1st trans model to walk in Victoria's Secret Fashion Show," 25 Apr. 2018
Costume Design, on the other hand, has much more consistently spotlighted female talent—though many of the nominees are consistent year-over-year—with some years even boasting an all-female slate of nominees.

— laurel pinson, Glamour, "Female Nominees at the Academy Awards Since 1928," 2 Mar. 2018
The lawsuit has already spotlighted Uber’s take-no-prisoners ethos.

— carolyn said, San Francisco Chronicle, "Waymo vs. Uber trial to shine light on Silicon Valley culture," 3 Feb. 2018

First Known Use of spotlight

1907

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

SPOTLIGHT Defined for English Language Learners

spotlight

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

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

Examples of spotlight in a Sentence

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spotlight

Definition of spotlight

Examples of spotlight in a Sentence

Recent Examples of spotlight from the Web

First Known Use 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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