spotlight

[ spot-lahyt ]

/ ˈspɒtˌlaɪt /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR spotlight ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

a lamp for producing such a light.

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.

the area of immediate or conspicuous public attention: Asia is in the spotlight now.

verb (used with object), spot·light·ed or spot·lit, spot·light·ing.

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

to make conspicuous; call attention to: Newspapers spotlighted the story for a week.

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

verb (used without object), spot·light·ed or spot·lit, spot·light·ing.

to hunt by using a spotlight.

Nearby words

Origin of spotlight

First recorded in 1910–15; spot + light¹

Related formsspot·light·er, nounun·spot·light·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for spotlight

Fumes filled the arena, engines revved, and the beastly vehicles made their way out on to the spotlight.
The Moms of Monster Jam Drive Trucks, Buck Macho Culture|Eliza Krigman|November 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She had all the pressure of people in the spotlight and was unbelievably rigorous about keeping it real.
Can Condon's Freak Show Win Broadway?|Tim Teeman|November 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In this age of selfies, the president had chosen someone who never seeks the spotlight and lets her work speak for itself.
For Next AG, Obama Picks a Quiet Fighter With a Heavy Punch|Michael Daly|November 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Dredging up the Wichita Massacre puts the two justices who were part of the 6-to-1 majority ruling in the spotlight.
And Here Come 2014’s Willie Hortons|Eleanor Clift|November 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Because they knew even as they succeeded in hogging the spotlight people were snickering at them.
Of Gamers, Gates, and Disco Demolition: The Roots of Reactionary Rage|Arthur Chu|October 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Lloyd George is fascinatingly magnetic in and out of the spotlight while Smuts is more coldly logical.
An African Adventure|Isaac F. Marcosson
Number 29 blue in the spotlight gives a summer moonlight; number 35 is best for a winter moonlight scene.
The Art of Stage Dancing|Ned Wayburn
They refused even to be chained by the novelty of a slender tenor as a new Russian star held the spotlight.
The Law of Hemlock Mountain|Hugh Lundsford
"I guess mother will be gladder than any of us," replied Betty promptly, trying to shift the spotlight from herself.
The Outdoor Girls in the Saddle|Laura Lee Hope
He shut off the spotlight; and he stumbled over his own feet in getting to the door.
The Girls of Hillcrest Farm|Amy Bell Marlowe

British Dictionary definitions for spotlight

spotlight

/ (ˈspɒtˌlaɪt) /

noun

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

the spotlight the focus of attention

verb -lights, -lighting, -lit or -lighted (tr)

to direct a spotlight on

to focus attention on

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for spotlight

spotlight

1904, from spot (n.) + light (n.). Originally a theatrical equipment; figurative sense is attested from 1916. The verb is first recorded 1923.

Idioms and Phrases with spotlight

spotlight

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

spotlight

noun

verb (used with object), spot·light·ed or spot·lit, spot·light·ing.

verb (used without object), spot·light·ed or spot·lit, spot·light·ing.

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of spotlight

Examples from the Web for spotlight

British Dictionary definitions for spotlight

spotlight

noun

verb -lights, -lighting, -lit or -lighted (tr)

Word Origin and History for spotlight

spotlight

Idioms and Phrases with spotlight

spotlight