A marquee is a large sign or structure over a theater or building entrance that displays the name of a show or event. As an adjective, 'marquee' can describe a very famous or top-billed person or event.
From French 'marquise', a type of canopy or tent, related to the noble title 'marquis'. The sense shifted from a tent-like shelter to the covered entrance of a theater, and then to the sign itself.
The 'marquee name' of a star comes from the physical sign where their name appears in giant letters. Digital screens have replaced old lightbulb marquees, but the idea of top billing survived and moved into sports and entertainment talk.
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