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
Eileen Sullivan, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
This bracket size has given those with the talent and ability to win it all an opportunity to sort it out on the field, while providing a shot and a spotlight to just enough more schools that deserve it.
—Chris Vannini, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
Matias Spektor, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Their upcoming releases and projects spotlight a vibrant array of voices and perspectives, pushing the limits of what modern music can achieve.
—Spin Contributor, SPIN, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for spotlight 
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Noun
The episode cast a spotlight on the room for overreach in relatively obscure parts of the government, in this instance an agency in the Department of Homeland Security called the Office of Intelligence and Analysis.
—Eileen Sullivan, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
This bracket size has given those with the talent and ability to win it all an opportunity to sort it out on the field, while providing a shot and a spotlight to just enough more schools that deserve it.
—Chris Vannini, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
The 1995 World Conference on Women in Beijing spotlighted gender issues, unleashing an era of progressive change across the developing world by galvanizing international support for gender equality initiatives and pressuring governments to better secure women’s rights.
—Matias Spektor, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Their upcoming releases and projects spotlight a vibrant array of voices and perspectives, pushing the limits of what modern music can achieve.
—Spin Contributor, SPIN, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for spotlight
Dictionary Entries Near spotlight
Cite this Entry
“Spotlight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spotlight. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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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