Marquee

[mahr-kee] /mɑrˈki/

noun
1.
a tall rooflike projection above a theater entrance, usually containing the name of a currently featured play or film and its stars.
2.
a rooflike shelter, as of glass, projecting above an outer door and over a sidewalk or a terrace.
3.
Also, marquess, marquise. British. a large tent or tentlike shelter with open sides, especially one for temporary use in outdoor entertainments, receptions, etc.
adjective
4.
superlative; headlining:
a marquee basketball player.
/mɑːˈkiː/
noun
1.
a large tent used for entertainment, exhibition, etc
2.
(mainly US & Canadian) Also called marquise. a canopy over the entrance to a theatre, hotel, etc
3.
(modifier) (mainly US & Canadian) celebrated or pre-eminent: a marquee player
n.

1680s, “large tent,” from French marquise (mistaken in English as a plural) “linen canopy placed over an officer’s tent to distinguish it from others,’ ” fem. of marquis (see marquis), and perhaps indicating “a place suitable for a marquis.” Sense of “canopy over the entrance to a hotel or theater, etc.” first recorded 1912 in American English.

adjective

Famous and influential; star; stellar: Sawyer is likely to escalate demands from other marquee names/ When you play a marquee player like Shaquille O’Neal, if you block his shot, you want to let him know

modifier

Publicity; hype: That Pasolini was offered these public forums suggests that there was a certain marquee value attached to his name

[late 1980s+; fr the important names featured on a theater marquee]