pin spot

¹

noun

, Theater.

1. a spotlight that produces a narrow beam of light illuminating a very small part of a stage, used especially to focus attention on a detail.
2. the beam of light so produced.

pin-spot

²

[ pin-spot ]

verb (used with object)

, Theater.

, pin-spot·ted, pin-spot·ting.

1. to illuminate with a pin spot.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pin spot¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Origin of pin spot²

v. use of pin spot

Example Sentences

Some of the differences from more conventional aircraft were obvious: mood lighting, large overhead bins, oversize windows with dimmer switches instead of shades, seats that slide forward instead of leaning backward into your neighbor’s laptop, LED pin-spot reading lamps overhead, crystal clear announcements and bathrooms featuring Japan’s famous Washlet toilets.

From Forbes

Everybody was laughing and talking, the little room was full to brimming when Bill Grant appeared in the doorway, and beside him the tall, gaunt figure of the woman Sophie loved more than any other woman on the Ridge—Maggie Grant, looking not a day older, and wearing a blue print dress with a pin-spot washed almost out of it, as she had done as long as Sophie could remember.

From Project Gutenberg

But Kate came in,—Kate in one of her fresh-looking pin-spot print frocks.

From Project Gutenberg

The pin-spot of light grew and broadened, and, as they approached it, they saw it was the winter sky.

From Project Gutenberg