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
Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 11 Mar. 2026
The extreme violence, apparently inspired by jihadi propaganda online, thrust the city of San Bernardino into the global spotlight.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2026
Politicians meet with waitresses at a diner to pitch raising the minimum wage or tour a factory to spotlight job growth.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spotlight
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Noun
The district, a mostly blue-collar corridor from Atlanta's suburbs north to the Tennessee border, vaulted into the national spotlight after Greene swept to victory in 2020.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 11 Mar. 2026
The extreme violence, apparently inspired by jihadi propaganda online, thrust the city of San Bernardino into the global spotlight.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
The jury will look for projects that spotlight these themes—whether through an overarching narrative, a storyline, or even the journey of an individual character.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2026
Politicians meet with waitresses at a diner to pitch raising the minimum wage or tour a factory to spotlight job growth.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spotlight
Cite this Entry
“Spotlight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spotlight. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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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