emphasis

Universal Words [U,C] 1 ~ (on / upon sth) special importance that is given to sth: to put / lay / place emphasis on sth * There has been a shift of emphasis from manufacturing to service industries. * The emphasis is very much on learning the spoken language. * Increased emphasis is now being placed on corporate image. * The course has a vocational emphasis. * We provide all types of information, with an emphasis on legal advice. * The examples we will look at have quite different emphases. 2 the extra force given to a word or phrase when spoken, especially in order to show that it is important; a way of writing a word (for example drawing a line underneath it) to show that it is important: 'I can assure you,' she added with emphasis, 'the figures are correct.'