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
Amanda Uhle, Washington Post, 9 July 2024
There, Democratic delegates are set to nominate Biden, the 81-year-old incumbent whose declining mental and physical fitness has attracted an increasingly bright spotlight.
—Ashley Oliver, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 9 July 2024
David Faris, Newsweek, 10 July 2024
Why not get Anjana Vasan to spotlight the lives of real 20-something Muslim women, including one or two aspiring musicians, in London?
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for spotlight 
Noun
Her first moment in the national spotlight came in December 2013.
—Amanda Uhle, Washington Post, 9 July 2024
There, Democratic delegates are set to nominate Biden, the 81-year-old incumbent whose declining mental and physical fitness has attracted an increasingly bright spotlight.
—Ashley Oliver, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 9 July 2024
Verb
Prince Harry could turn the negative response to a recent award win into a positive, by using the Hollywood prize giving ceremony as an opportunity to spotlight veterans and their inspiring stories, a new episode of Newsweek's The Royal Report podcast has heard.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 10 July 2024
Why not get Anjana Vasan to spotlight the lives of real 20-something Muslim women, including one or two aspiring musicians, in London?
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for spotlight
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 14 Jul. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share