spotlight

Noun

• a lamp that produces a strong beam of light to illuminate a restricted area; used to focus attention of a stage performer

• a focus of public attention
  • he enjoyed being in the limelight
    
  • when Congress investigates it brings the full glare of publicity to the agency
    

Verb

• illuminate with a spotlight, as in the theater

• move into the foreground to make more visible or prominent
  • The introduction highlighted the speaker's distinguished career in linguistics
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  spot , limelight , glare , public eye , foreground , highlight , play up
• Antonyms: 
  background , play down , downplay