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
The chef’s counter, meanwhile, shines the spotlight on quartzite and oak, two materials that come together to create a soft, warm space.
—
Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 30 Dec. 2025
Recent years have seen Culkin step comfortably back into the spotlight, touring the country with his Nostalgic Night With Macaulay Culkin events and taking on roles in Zootopia 2 and Fallout.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Dec. 2025
Matcha had the spotlight with banana pudding matcha latte and strawberry matcha ice cream each as top searches, per the report.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025
Left alone in the spotlight, the robot walks to the edge of the stage, waiting for its handlers, unable to manage the stairs.
—James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the spotlight
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.
Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 30 Dec. 2025
Recent years have seen Culkin step comfortably back into the spotlight, touring the country with his Nostalgic Night With Macaulay Culkin events and taking on roles in Zootopia 2 and Fallout.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Dec. 2025
Matcha had the spotlight with banana pudding matcha latte and strawberry matcha ice cream each as top searches, per the report.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025
Left alone in the spotlight, the robot walks to the edge of the stage, waiting for its handlers, unable to manage the stairs.
—James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the spotlight
Cite this Entry
“The spotlight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20spotlight. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share