Highlight means to emphasize something or make it stand out as especially important. When a teacher highlights the key points before a test, she's drawing attention to what students should focus on. When you highlight passages in a book with a colored marker, you're marking the parts you want to remember or return to later.

The word comes from the idea of shining light on something to make it more visible. In a painting, highlights are the brightest spots where light seems to hit most strongly. In your hair, highlights are lighter strands that catch the eye. When a news reporter highlights a story, she's making sure viewers notice it among all the day's events.

A highlight can also be a noun meaning the best or most memorable part of something. The highlights of your vacation might be the day you saw wild dolphins or learned to surf. Sports fans watch highlight reels to see the most exciting plays from games they missed. When you tell friends about your weekend, you share the highlights rather than describing every single moment.

People also use highlight to mean showcasing someone's abilities or achievements. A school concert might highlight talented musicians, giving them a chance to perform solos. Your science fair project might highlight your research skills and creativity.