spotlight

1 of 2

noun

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

spotlight

2 of 2

verb

spotlighted or spotlit; spotlighting

transitive verb

1

: to illuminate with a spotlight

2

: to direct attention to : highlight

Synonyms

Noun

• catbird seat
• center stage
• limelight
• top billing

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

Noun

Dean was famously private, preferring to stay far out of reach of his wife’s spotlight. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 2 May 2025

Kamala Harris to criticize Trump in high-profile return to spotlight Former Vice President Kamala Harris will deliver a speech Wednesday at Emerge America's 20th anniversary gala, using the platform to criticize Trump sharply. —Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025

Verb

Regulators Take Aim at Algorithmic Discrimination Lucy Thomson, principal at Livingston PLLC, spotlighted regulations restricting companies from using AI in software development. —Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 2 May 2025

Adolescence, Squid Game, Nobody Wants This, Black Mirror, The Four Seasons, Simone Biles Rising, Arcane and The Diplomat are among Netflix’s live-action and animated series and documentaries spotlighted with panel and other events. —The Deadline Team, Deadline, 1 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1904, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1907, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing spotlight

• in the spotlight
• the spotlight
• turned/put the spotlight on
• under the media spotlight

Rhymes for spotlight

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight

Kids 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