spotlight

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 (also informal spot) [C] a light with a single, very bright beam that can be directed at a particular place or person; the area of light from this: The room was lit by spotlights. * She stood alone on stage in the spotlight. 2 (the spotlight) [sing.] attention from newspapers, television and the public: Unemployment is once again in the spotlight. * The issue will come under the spotlight when parliament reassembles. * The report has turned the spotlight on the startling rise in street crime. * She was happy to share the spotlight with her sister. verb (spotlit, spotlit ) HELPNOTE Especially in sense 2, spotlighted is also used for the past tense and past participle.( [VN] 1 to shine a spotlight on sb/sth: a spotlit stage 2 to give special attention to a problem, situation, etc. so that people notice it SYNHIGHLIGHT: The programme spotlights serious financial problems in the health service.