searchlight

[ surch-lahyt ]

/ ˈsɜrtʃˌlaɪt /

a device, usually consisting of a light and reflector, for throwing a beam of light in any direction.

a beam of light so thrown.

Origin of searchlight

First recorded in 1880–85; search + light¹

I suspect very few—unless you were vacationing in Hawaii or returning home to Searchlight, Nevada.

The ‘Defining Issue of Our Time’ Is Obama’s Constitutional Excesses |Ron Christie |January 9, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Most of his shooting stories are about hunting, and most of those are from his childhood in Searchlight.

The Gun-Control Fight Harry Reid Can’t Win |David Freedlander |January 22, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
"You came to the Senate from Searchlight with very little," Angle said.

No Knockout Punch for Reid |Benjamin Sarlin |October 15, 2010 |DAILY BEAST
Limping ahead of the old hunter, Tom flashed the searchlight directly on the heavy door.

Grace Harlowe's Golden Summer |Jessie Graham Flower

But before they disappeared inside a yellow flame flashed out from the vicinity of the searchlight, followed by a dull roar.

Commander Lawless V.C. |Rolf Bennett
From Morro Castle, and from all the defenses, the eyes of the garrison were fixed upon the searchlight.

Under the Star-Spangled Banner |F. S. Brereton
For a moment the searchlight rested on the launch, which continued on its course.

The Black Star |Johnston McCulley
They would break off now and then with a reference to the activity of the searchlight.

The Siege of Kimberley |T. Phelan

searchlight

/ (ˈsɜːtʃˌlaɪt) /

a device, consisting of a light source and a reflecting surface behind it, that projects a powerful beam of light in a particular direction

the beam of light produced by such a device