# spotlight

Pronunciation: say "SPOT-lyt" US /ˈspɑtˌlaɪt/, UK /ˈspɒtˌlaɪt/, AUS /ˈspɔtˌlɑɪt/

## Noun

1. A bright, directional lamp used to light up the main point of interest on a stage.
   - Simple: A strong lamp that sends a narrow beam of light onto one person or thing on a stage.
   - _A single spotlight lit the actor while the rest of the stage went dark._
   - _The crew tested each spotlight before the curtain rose._
2. The center of public attention; the most prominent or important focus at a given moment.
   - Simple: The position of getting the most attention from everyone at one time.
   - _The scandal put the mayor squarely in the spotlight for weeks._
   - _He shies away from the spotlight, preferring to work behind the scenes._
5. The bright circle of light cast on a surface by a focused lamp.
   - Simple: The round patch of bright light that a strong, focused lamp makes on a surface.
   - _She paused at the edge of the spotlight, just outside its glow._
   - _The spotlight narrowed to a tight circle around the soloist._
6. A feature or segment that presents something prominently for public attention; a showcase.
   - Simple: A part of a show or page that gives special attention to one thing.
   - _The conference included a spotlight on emerging green technologies._
   - _Each newsletter ends with a spotlight celebrating a standout volunteer._

## Verb

3. To bring something to public notice; to make it the focus of attention.
   - Simple: To make people notice something by pointing attention at it.
   - _The report spotlights the dangers of rising sea levels._
   - _Organizers hope to spotlight youth voices during the festival._
4. To illuminate someone or something with a bright, focused beam of light.
   - Simple: To shine a strong, narrow beam of light on a person or thing.
   - _Technicians spotlighted the sculpture to bring out its rough texture._
   - _They spotlight the main entrance each evening for the gala._
7. To hunt game at night by directing a bright beam at animals, which freeze when caught in the light; a synonym of jacklight.
   - Simple: To hunt animals at night by shining a bright light that freezes them in place.
   - _The wardens caught two men spotlighting deer in the field at midnight._
   - _Hunters who spotlight game at night face heavy fines here._

## Origin

Formed by combining "spot" and "light".

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/spotlight (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).