spotlight

1 of 2

noun

spot·​light ˈspät-ˌlīt How to pronounce spotlight (audio)
Synonyms of spotlightnext
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 of spotlight

Relevance

Noun

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Bringing up the bridge again shines a spotlight on the very real problems along I-95 that a bridge won’t fix. — Pete Harrison, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2026 Expanding to 24 would give even more schools the ability to reach that stage and get a national spotlight. — Chris Vannini, New York Times, 6 July 2026
Verb
The park spotlights the historic court case that ended public school segregation in the United States. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 30 June 2026 There are many other admirable individuals to spotlight who champion reading for children and young people. — Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for spotlight

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1904, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1907, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of spotlight was in 1904

Phrases Containing spotlight

Rhymes for spotlight

See All Rhymes for spotlight

Browse Nearby Words

spotless
spotlight
spotlighter
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spotlight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spotlight. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

spotlight

1 of 2 noun
spot·​light ˈspät-ˌlīt How to pronounce spotlight (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on spotlight

Nglish: Translation of spotlight for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spotlight

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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