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
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
Aside from the TikTok discourse, Alyssa took to the Stanely team to chat with a brand spokesperson about the history and present state of the brand, given its past few years in the social media spotlight.
—Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
Led by Miami native and Northwestern alum, Traci Young-Byron, the group are back in the national spotlight due to the series.
—Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024
What happens to spare embryos created during IVF is a question that was thrust into the national spotlight in February, after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos were people and characterized discarding them as killing unborn children.
—Justine McDaniel, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
The shooting shined a national spotlight on the city's struggle with youth violence.
—Jake Allen, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Apr. 2024
The helicopter shines a spotlight near the hiker clinging to the cliff as ocean waves crash just below.
—Brooke Baitinger, Sacramento Bee, 2 Apr. 2024
In that light, the draconian sentence is punishment not only for a crime but also for shining a spotlight on decades of embarrassing failures, ones that were made clear to the entire country the day that Özer disappeared.
—Leif Wenar, WIRED, 2 Apr. 2024
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
And the inadequate coordination of operations that plagues aid delivery, spotlighted by the tragic April 1 killing of seven staff members of a World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid convoy, is further undermining Israel’s military efforts.
—Shira Efron, Foreign Affairs, 15 Apr. 2024
Her detainment spotlighted the salary caps WNBA players face in the United States – which has pushed athletes to go overseas to earn more during their off-seasons.
—Susannah Cullinane, CNN, 14 Apr. 2024
This opportunity spotlighted the exceptional talent within HBCU golf as the game’s promising future ambassadors.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 14 Apr. 2024
In the back of the house, spacious terraces on both levels spotlight the panoramic vistas.
—David Caraccio, Sacramento Bee, 11 Apr. 2024
They are spotlighted in Star Parties over the summer.
—USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2024
The nonprofit is aimed at spotlighting Lord's case and offering resources for those in need.
—Kira Caspers, The Arizona Republic, 29 Mar. 2024
Noun
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
Aside from the TikTok discourse, Alyssa took to the Stanely team to chat with a brand spokesperson about the history and present state of the brand, given its past few years in the social media spotlight.
—Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
Led by Miami native and Northwestern alum, Traci Young-Byron, the group are back in the national spotlight due to the series.
—Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024
What happens to spare embryos created during IVF is a question that was thrust into the national spotlight in February, after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos were people and characterized discarding them as killing unborn children.
—Justine McDaniel, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
The shooting shined a national spotlight on the city's struggle with youth violence.
—Jake Allen, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Apr. 2024
The helicopter shines a spotlight near the hiker clinging to the cliff as ocean waves crash just below.
—Brooke Baitinger, Sacramento Bee, 2 Apr. 2024
In that light, the draconian sentence is punishment not only for a crime but also for shining a spotlight on decades of embarrassing failures, ones that were made clear to the entire country the day that Özer disappeared.
—Leif Wenar, WIRED, 2 Apr. 2024
Verb
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
And the inadequate coordination of operations that plagues aid delivery, spotlighted by the tragic April 1 killing of seven staff members of a World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid convoy, is further undermining Israel’s military efforts.
—Shira Efron, Foreign Affairs, 15 Apr. 2024
Her detainment spotlighted the salary caps WNBA players face in the United States – which has pushed athletes to go overseas to earn more during their off-seasons.
—Susannah Cullinane, CNN, 14 Apr. 2024
This opportunity spotlighted the exceptional talent within HBCU golf as the game’s promising future ambassadors.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 14 Apr. 2024
In the back of the house, spacious terraces on both levels spotlight the panoramic vistas.
—David Caraccio, Sacramento Bee, 11 Apr. 2024
They are spotlighted in Star Parties over the summer.
—USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2024
The nonprofit is aimed at spotlighting Lord's case and offering resources for those in need.
—Kira Caspers, The Arizona Republic, 29 Mar. 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 25 Apr. 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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