spotlight

American  

[spot-lahyt] / ˈspɒtˌlaɪt /

noun

1. a strong, focused light thrown upon a particular spot, as on a small area of a stage or in a television studio, for making some object, person, or group especially conspicuous.

2. a lamp for producing such a light.

3. a brilliant light with a focused beam, mounted on the side of an automobile and used for illuminating objects not within range of the headlights.

4. the area of immediate or conspicuous public attention.

   Asia is in the spotlight now.

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verb (used with object)

spotlighted, spotlit, spotlighting

1. to direct the beam of a spotlight upon; light with a spotlight.

2. to make conspicuous; call attention to.

   Newspapers spotlighted the story for a week.

3. to hunt (animals) using a spotlight in order to temporarily blind or confuse them.

verb (used without object)

spotlighted, spotlit, spotlighting

1. to hunt by using a spotlight.

spotlight British  

/ ˈspɒtˌlaɪt /

noun

1. a powerful light focused so as to illuminate a small area, usually mounted so that it can be directed at will

2. the focus of attention

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verb

1. to direct a spotlight on

2. to focus attention on

spotlight Idioms  

1. see in the limelight (spotlight); steal the show (spotlight).

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Other Word Forms

• spotlighter
  noun
• unspotlighted
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of spotlight

First recorded in 1910–15; spot + light ¹

Explanation

A spotlight is a bright beam of light that shines on people on stage. Actors and rock stars love spending time in the spotlight when they’re performing, but if they’re famous they’re in the spotlight all the time. If you star in the school play, you'll be in a literal spotlight, illuminated on the stage while you sing your big solo number. If some day you're elected President of the United States, you'll be in a figurative spotlight, at the center of intense attention by the public. You can also call this limelight. Lighting experts often call spotlights followspots.

Example Sentences

Heavyweights exist under a uniquely harsh spotlight and Dubois has absorbed more than his fair share of scrutiny.

From BBC • May 10, 2026

The conflict has, nonetheless, brought the role of renewable energy in energy security back into the spotlight.

From Barron's • May 10, 2026

We’ve seen these pieces come out against former press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and Vice President Kamala Harris herself when they rear their heads and venture back into the spotlight.

From Slate • May 9, 2026

The public’s on-again, off-again interest kept Smart’s disappearance in the news sporadically, but a podcast called “Your Own Backyard,” begun in 2019 by Chris Lambert, shone a new spotlight on the cold case.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

And that’s when I see him, a protestor in the glaring spotlight on the other side of the fence.

From "Internment" by Samira Ahmed

Related Words

• fame
• light
• limelight
• notoriety
• public eye
• publicity