the spotlight

noun

: public attention or notice
a baseball star who hates the spotlight
They're always in the spotlight.
School violence is once again under the media spotlight.
The news article turned/put the spotlight on the city's financial problems.

Examples of the spotlight in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the early 1800s, the region was home to Hawaii’s first commercial sugar plantation which helped launch the state’s sugar industry and bring the town of Kōloa into the spotlight. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026 Ariana Grande addressed her upcoming break from the spotlight at Monday night’s concert in Chicago. — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 4 Aug. 2026 Long a tent-pole for Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s detention network, Georgia has remained in the spotlight as detentions have soared over the last 20 months. — Lautaro Grinspan, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026 This year marks the second year with a focus on Africa, with the spotlight being put on six projects in development, six producers and five directors. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for the spotlight

Rhymes for the spotlight

See All Rhymes for the spotlight

Browse Nearby Words

the sport of kings
the spotlight
the squeamish
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“The spotlight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20spotlight. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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