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.

---

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

---

verb

1. to direct a spotlight on

2. to focus attention on

spotlight Idioms  

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

---

Other Word Forms

• spotlighter noun
• unspotlighted adjective

Etymology

Origin of spotlight

First recorded in 1910–15; spot + light ¹

Example Sentences

Wait until her likely successor grabs the spotlight.

From The Wall Street Journal

This diminished attention creates different dynamics than the 1998 campaign, when the governor’s race commanded the political spotlight.

From Los Angeles Times

But with private credit and its risks in the spotlight, the treatment of bank loans to other lenders should get much more attention than usual.

From The Wall Street Journal

All eyes are now turning to Apple, which announced on Monday night that its annual Worldwide Developers Conference is returning on June 8, and “will spotlight incredible updates for Apple platforms, including AI advancements.”

From Barron's

The Labubu doll craze put Chinese toy maker Pop Mart in the spotlight.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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