1. the center of public attention or interest
2. a type of stage lighting formerly used in theaters, produced by heating lime
Usage: historical

Examples

• The scandal thrust the politician into the limelight.
• She enjoyed being in the limelight during her acting career.
• The young athlete stepped into the limelight after winning the championship.
• He preferred to stay out of the limelight and work behind the scenes.
• The invention of electric lighting eventually replaced limelight in theaters.
• The celebrity tried to avoid the limelight after the controversy.