limelight

American  

[lahym-lahyt] / ˈlaɪmˌlaɪt /

noun

1. Theater.

   1. (formerly) a lighting unit for spotlighting the front of the stage, producing illumination by means of a flame of mixed gases directed at a cylinder of lime and having a special lens for concentrating the light in a strong beam.

   2. the light so produced.

   3. Chiefly British. a lighting unit, especially a spotlight.

2. the center of public attention, interest, observation, or notoriety.

   He seems fond of the limelight.

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limelight British  

/ ˈlaɪmˌlaɪt /

noun

1. a position of public attention or notice (esp in the phrase in the limelight )

2. 1. a type of lamp, formerly used in stage lighting, in which light is produced by heating lime to white heat

   2. Also called: calcium light.  brilliant white light produced in this way

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Other Word Forms

• limelighter noun

Etymology

Origin of limelight

First recorded in 1820–30; lime ² + light ¹

Example Sentences

This time round it has been reluctantly thrust into the limelight as home to international deposit organisation Euroclear, which holds some 200 billion euros of the Russian assets.

From Barron's

But as an artist, I am feeling more emboldened to continue telling the stories that I want to tell and to continue sharing this 15 seconds of limelight with the things that I value.

From Los Angeles Times

Since her resignation, Rayner has largely kept out of the political limelight.

From BBC

It ended with Root in the limelight - should that be floodlight? - once again delivering when his team and his country needed him.

From BBC

ISTANBUL—After a low-profile start to his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV is stepping into the limelight.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• glare
• prominence
• public eye
• spotlight