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
Synonyms
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
Josh Camitta, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2024
The music thumped and the arena darkened as the players emerged with spotlights shining on them.
—Adam Elder, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2024
The upswing in inflation in since the COVID-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on I Bonds and upcoming shifts in interest rates.
—Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 24 Apr. 2024
From bistro-style string lights and spotlights to firefly garden lights and motion sensor lights, check out the best outdoor solar light deals on Amazon right now.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Apr. 2024
Iran's attack on Israel shines spotlight on Tehran's nuke weapons program.
—Fox News, 16 Apr. 2024
The national spotlight was on Kansas City again when on Feb. 14, gunfire broke out at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade rally, killing one and injuring 23.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2024
The trial also shined a spotlight on DNA evidence, then a scientifically established but publicly suspect technology.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2024
Surveillance law in spotlight as lawmakers debate key spy program
Section 702 allows the U.S. government to collect electronic communications of non-Americans located outside the country without a warrant.
—Lauren Peller, ABC News, 12 Apr. 2024
Christa Sgobba, SELF, 25 Apr. 2024
With the pandemic in media executives’ rearview mirrors, media trends are still emerging at the speed of sound, and this year’s Variety Entertainment Marketing Summit, presented by Deloitte, will spotlight the strategies of top industry marketers.
—Karen Idelson, Variety, 24 Apr. 2024
In addition, the SOMA stage will mark a return to the Marx Meadow, ditching the tent format for an extended, open air dance space spotlighting house and techno stars, including actor/DJ Idris Elba, Uncle Waffles, The Blessed Madonna and Shiba San b2b CID, among others.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 23 Apr. 2024
Come explore its permanent and rotating exhibitions, which have spotlighted international artists such as Edvard Munch and Pierre-Auguste Renoir.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2024
The exact timeline and number of productions are still being worked out, but the idea is to consolidate offerings under one CTG banner rather than spotlight separate seasons at each of CTG’s three theaters.
—Charles McNulty, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2024
On a day when Ford Motor Co. is spotlighting the launch of its high-profile Ranger and F-150 trucks, key players behind the scenes watch with pride and trepidation.
—Detroit Free Press, 11 Apr. 2024
Shephard and the series’ writers are careful not to spotlight the violence visually.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 16 Apr. 2024
The insurance brand, the presenting sponsor of the WNBA draft, plans to spotlight Clark’s collegiate career via a digital installation in Times Square right before the draft kicks off, and is sending Jake from State Farm to attend the draft and congratulate her in person.
—Alyssa Meyers, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2024
Noun
Use your platforms to give a shout-out to wholesale partners, like in a weekly spotlight of a retailer to send them foot traffic.
—Josh Camitta, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2024
The music thumped and the arena darkened as the players emerged with spotlights shining on them.
—Adam Elder, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2024
The upswing in inflation in since the COVID-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on I Bonds and upcoming shifts in interest rates.
—Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 24 Apr. 2024
From bistro-style string lights and spotlights to firefly garden lights and motion sensor lights, check out the best outdoor solar light deals on Amazon right now.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Apr. 2024
Iran's attack on Israel shines spotlight on Tehran's nuke weapons program.
—Fox News, 16 Apr. 2024
The national spotlight was on Kansas City again when on Feb. 14, gunfire broke out at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade rally, killing one and injuring 23.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2024
The trial also shined a spotlight on DNA evidence, then a scientifically established but publicly suspect technology.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2024
Surveillance law in spotlight as lawmakers debate key spy program
Section 702 allows the U.S. government to collect electronic communications of non-Americans located outside the country without a warrant.
—Lauren Peller, ABC News, 12 Apr. 2024
Verb
So even though pulling exercises primarily spotlight your backside, there are some moves that engage a few frontside players, too.
—Christa Sgobba, SELF, 25 Apr. 2024
With the pandemic in media executives’ rearview mirrors, media trends are still emerging at the speed of sound, and this year’s Variety Entertainment Marketing Summit, presented by Deloitte, will spotlight the strategies of top industry marketers.
—Karen Idelson, Variety, 24 Apr. 2024
In addition, the SOMA stage will mark a return to the Marx Meadow, ditching the tent format for an extended, open air dance space spotlighting house and techno stars, including actor/DJ Idris Elba, Uncle Waffles, The Blessed Madonna and Shiba San b2b CID, among others.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 23 Apr. 2024
Come explore its permanent and rotating exhibitions, which have spotlighted international artists such as Edvard Munch and Pierre-Auguste Renoir.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2024
The exact timeline and number of productions are still being worked out, but the idea is to consolidate offerings under one CTG banner rather than spotlight separate seasons at each of CTG’s three theaters.
—Charles McNulty, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2024
On a day when Ford Motor Co. is spotlighting the launch of its high-profile Ranger and F-150 trucks, key players behind the scenes watch with pride and trepidation.
—Detroit Free Press, 11 Apr. 2024
Shephard and the series’ writers are careful not to spotlight the violence visually.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 16 Apr. 2024
The insurance brand, the presenting sponsor of the WNBA draft, plans to spotlight Clark’s collegiate career via a digital installation in Times Square right before the draft kicks off, and is sending Jake from State Farm to attend the draft and congratulate her in person.
—Alyssa Meyers, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spotlight.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near spotlight
Cite this Entry
“Spotlight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spotlight. Accessed 1 May. 2024.
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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