marquee

[mahr-kee]

noun

1. a tall rooflike projection above a theater entrance, usually containing the name of a currently featured play or film and its stars.

2. a rooflike shelter, as of glass, projecting above an outer door and over a sidewalk or a terrace.

3. British.,  Also a large tent or tentlike shelter with open sides, especially one for temporary use in outdoor entertainments, receptions, etc.

adjective

1. superlative; headlining.

   a marquee basketball player.

marquee

/ mɑːˈkiː /

noun

1. a large tent used for entertainment, exhibition, etc

2. Also called: marquise. a canopy over the entrance to a theatre, hotel, etc

3. (modifier) celebrated or pre-eminent

   a marquee player

Word History and Origins

Origin of marquee¹

1680–90; assumed singular of marquise, taken as plural

Word History and Origins

Origin of marquee¹

C17 (originally an officer's tent): invented singular form of _marquise , erroneously taken to be plural

Example Sentences

The Screen Actors Guild Awards, the marquee awards ceremony honouring actors, is getting a new name.

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So many movie theaters, with towering, competing marquees.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The schedule honors the historic moment for women in sports by showcasing the women’s 100-meter final at the Coliseum as the primetime, marquee event on the first official day of competition on July 15, 2028.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Many teams treat it as an interchangeable slot which should not be showered with money or acquired via high draft picks; a few see transformational value in a marquee back at the right time.

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In all three marquee categories, Lamar will be competing with Bad Bunny, Lady Gaga and Carpenter.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal