Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
SPOTLIGHT
I. noun
Date: 1904
1. a projected spot of light used to illuminate brilliantly a person, object, or group on a stage, conspicuous public notice ,
2. a light designed to direct a narrow intense beam of light on a small area, something that illuminates brilliantly,
II. transitive verb (-lighted or -lit; -lighting)
Date: 1922
to illuminate with a spotlight, to direct attention to ; highlight