spotlight
Americannoun
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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.
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a lamp for producing such a light.
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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.
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the area of immediate or conspicuous public attention.
Asia is in the spotlight now.
verb (used with object)
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to direct the beam of a spotlight upon; light with a spotlight.
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to make conspicuous; call attention to.
Newspapers spotlighted the story for a week.
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to hunt (animals) using a spotlight in order to temporarily blind or confuse them.
verb (used without object)
noun
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a powerful light focused so as to illuminate a small area, usually mounted so that it can be directed at will
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the focus of attention
verb
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to direct a spotlight on
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to focus attention on
Other Word Forms
- spotlighter noun
- unspotlighted adjective
Etymology
Origin of spotlight
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Sedaka's popular music faded from the spotlight later in the 1960's, as the British Invasion era took hold of the US.
From BBC
Nearing his 126th show, Fedigan has worked his way up the ranks from subbing in as a spotlight operator to overseeing the entire technical production of hit shows like “Chicago.”
His latest report spotlights one manager’s use of a state-owned Ford F-150, with maps of 47 questioned trips and details of purchases like black jelly beans and Wyatt Earp whiskey.
A wave of film and TV adaptations have brought what was once a niche genre into the spotlight.
From BBC
County officials say they need a judge’s permission to comply with the subpoena and turn over the firm’s records to the bar, giving the typically opaque proceedings a spotlight in open court.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
