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.
With the Winter Olympics in full swing, a whole new cast of athletes is claiming the spotlight. Caroline Tien, SELF, 9 Feb. 2026 In leadership discourse, the spotlight often falls on strategy, execution, vision, and charismatic influence. Paul Vanderbroeck, Big Think, 9 Feb. 2026 Rather than shrinking from the spotlight, the bears embrace the moment, lifting their Pepsi cans for all to see. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026 Yet in her disaster, a new ingenue steps into the spotlight. Frederick Dreier, Outside, 9 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for the spotlight

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“The spotlight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20spotlight. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster