the spotlight
noun
: public attention or notice
a baseball star who hates the spotlight
They're always in the spotlight.
School violence is once again under the media spotlight.
The news article turned/put the spotlight on the city's financial problems.
Examples of the spotlight in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Other universities have found themselves in the spotlight for their handling of encampments.
—
Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 4 May 2024
Audemars Piguet was in the spotlight, too, with Chris Hemsworth and Orlando Bloom both wearing Royal Oaks on separate occasions.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 4 May 2024
Under the spotlight, the actor was playing the role of a world famous pop star — one fifth of a massively successful (fictional) boy band.
—Cat Cardenas, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 May 2024
Swarts feels similarly about her catapult into the spotlight.
—Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 3 May 2024
Kent is a survivor of the 2022 Club Q shooting and Blossom Party is the stage where LGBTQ+ resilience takes the spotlight.
—Tiney Ricciardi, The Denver Post, 2 May 2024
At Jazz Fest, the spotlight shines on a specific culture each year, with this edition placing Colombia at the forefront, showcasing the vibrant sounds of salsa legends and folk musicians Grupo Niche, Rancho Aparte, Agrupacíon Changó, Cimarrón, and Goyo.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 2 May 2024
The most random head-shaker of a story — a question a wife asked while splitting from her husband, a $550,000 ring, a Facetime call during an NFL game as some beers greased the wheels for a $100,000 purchase — has thrust that 67-year-old cowboy fully into the spotlight on Kentucky Derby weekend.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2024
But the life of a professional dancer in the spotlight is challenging and competitive.
—Richard Dunn, Orange County Register, 2 May 2024
Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 4 May 2024
Audemars Piguet was in the spotlight, too, with Chris Hemsworth and Orlando Bloom both wearing Royal Oaks on separate occasions.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 4 May 2024
Under the spotlight, the actor was playing the role of a world famous pop star — one fifth of a massively successful (fictional) boy band.
—Cat Cardenas, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 May 2024
Swarts feels similarly about her catapult into the spotlight.
—Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 3 May 2024
Kent is a survivor of the 2022 Club Q shooting and Blossom Party is the stage where LGBTQ+ resilience takes the spotlight.
—Tiney Ricciardi, The Denver Post, 2 May 2024
At Jazz Fest, the spotlight shines on a specific culture each year, with this edition placing Colombia at the forefront, showcasing the vibrant sounds of salsa legends and folk musicians Grupo Niche, Rancho Aparte, Agrupacíon Changó, Cimarrón, and Goyo.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 2 May 2024
The most random head-shaker of a story — a question a wife asked while splitting from her husband, a $550,000 ring, a Facetime call during an NFL game as some beers greased the wheels for a $100,000 purchase — has thrust that 67-year-old cowboy fully into the spotlight on Kentucky Derby weekend.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2024
But the life of a professional dancer in the spotlight is challenging and competitive.
—Richard Dunn, Orange County Register, 2 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'the 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 the spotlight
Cite this Entry
“The spotlight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20spotlight. Accessed 7 May. 2024.
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