limelight

1 of 2

noun

lime·​light ˈlīm-ˌlīt 

1

a

: a stage lighting instrument producing illumination by means of an oxyhydrogen flame directed on a cylinder of lime and usually equipped with a lens to concentrate the light in a beam

b

: the white light produced by such an instrument

c

British : spotlight

2

: the center of public attention

limelight

2 of 2

verb

limelighted; limelighting; limelights

transitive verb

: to center attention on : spotlight

Synonyms

Noun

• catbird seat
• center stage
• spotlight
• top billing

Examples of limelight in a Sentence

Noun

an actress who discovered that the limelight was not such a glowing experience when her privacy was invaded

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In terms of limelight, the senior took a back seat last season to teammate Dijon Stanley, who led the Highlanders to a City Section title in football and a state title in the boys’ 400 meters before heading to the University of Utah. —Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2024

For her part, Giddens plans to use her moment in the cultural limelight to tell the kinds of stories that would otherwise be tuned out. —Janay Kingsberry, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1909, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing limelight

• share the limelight
• the limelight
• thrust into the limelight

Kids Definition

limelight

noun

lime·​light

ˈlīm-ˌlīt

: the center of public attention