cynosure

/ˌsaɪnəˈʃʊər/

Other forms: cynosures

A cynosure is the main attraction. A figure skater on the ice is the cynosure, or focal point, of a stadium as she triple-axels through the air. All eyes are on her with admiration, hoping that she'll land it.

Cynosure, pronounced sy-na-shoor, comes from the Greek word kynosoura, or "dog's tail." In Latin Cynosura refers to the constellation Ursa Minor, also known as the North Star. Unlike other stars, the North Star is a fixed point, used by sailors to orient themselves for centuries. Like a bride who attracts the attention of everyone at a wedding as she comes down the aisle, the North Star is the cynosure for travelers lost in the forest without a map.

Definitions of cynosure

1. noun

   something that provides guidance (as Polaris guides mariners)
   “let faith be your cynosure to walk by”

   type of:

   counsel, counseling, counselling, direction, guidance

   something that provides direction or advice as to a decision or course of action
2. noun

   something that strongly attracts attention and admiration
   “if he was the cynosure of all eyes he didn't notice”

   type of:

   center, center of attention, centre, centre of attention

   the object upon which interest and attention focuses