enlightenment

noun

en·​light·​en·​ment in-ˈlī-tᵊn-mənt 

en-

1

: the act or means of enlightening : the state of being enlightened

2

capitalized : a philosophical movement of the 18th century marked by a rejection of traditional social, religious, and political ideas and an emphasis on rationalism

—used with the

3

Buddhism : a final blessed state marked by the absence of desire or suffering

Examples of enlightenment in a Sentence

the search for spiritual enlightenment

His comments failed to provide enlightenment.

the enlightenment of the public through education

Recent Examples on the Web

Others see messianic potential in the new life-forms, assuming that their greater technological capabilities must be accompanied by greater enlightenment. —Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024

In the sphere of coaching, interruptions do not equate to impolite disruptions but rather serve as crucial instruments to guide the conversation back to its central theme or delve further into eliciting enlightenment. —Andrea Wanerstrand, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1621, in the meaning defined at sense 1