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
Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 28 Jan. 2026
The brunch also shone a spotlight on the fellows of the ReFrame Rise program, a fellowship co-founded by WIF and Sundance Institute that supports 10 mid-career directors and cinematographers, all of whom were present at the event.
—Dominique Fluker, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The kind of platform for up-and-coming comics that’s increasingly rare to come upon in the streaming world, LOL Live spotlights 10 new 30-minute specials from comics including Chico Bean, Sydnee Washington, Devon Walker, Brandi Denise, and the late Ken Flores.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spotlight
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Noun
Washington — Federal Reserve officials convene this week at a pivotal moment in the US central bank’s 112-year history, with a series of historic events putting a spotlight on their ability to set interest rates without political interference.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 28 Jan. 2026
The brunch also shone a spotlight on the fellows of the ReFrame Rise program, a fellowship co-founded by WIF and Sundance Institute that supports 10 mid-career directors and cinematographers, all of whom were present at the event.
—Dominique Fluker, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
For the second consecutive year, Bosch is spotlighting its home appliances and power tools with a hilarious ad that will premiere during Super Bowl LX next month.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The kind of platform for up-and-coming comics that’s increasingly rare to come upon in the streaming world, LOL Live spotlights 10 new 30-minute specials from comics including Chico Bean, Sydnee Washington, Devon Walker, Brandi Denise, and the late Ken Flores.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 26 Jan. 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 1 Feb. 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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