illuminate

1 of 3

verb

il·​lu·​mi·​nate i-ˈlü-mə-ˌnāt How to pronounce illuminate (audio)
illuminated; illuminating

transitive verb

1
a(1)
: to supply or brighten with light
(2)
: to make luminous or shining
b
: to enlighten spiritually or intellectually
c
: to subject to radiation
d
archaic : to set alight
2
a
: to make clear : elucidate
b
: to bring to the fore : highlight
a crisis can illuminate how interdependent we all are
3
: to make illustrious or resplendent
4
: to decorate (something, such as a manuscript) with gold or silver or brilliant colors or with often elaborate designs or miniature pictures
illuminator noun

illuminate

2 of 3

adjective

il·​lu·​mi·​nate i-ˈlü-mə-nət How to pronounce illuminate (audio)
1
archaic : brightened with light
2
archaic : intellectually or spiritually enlightened

illuminate

3 of 3

noun

il·​lu·​mi·​nate i-ˈlü-mə-nət How to pronounce illuminate (audio)
archaic
: one having or claiming unusual enlightenment

Examples of illuminate in a Sentence

Verb the part of the moon illuminated by the sun A university study has illuminated the problem.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The studio played host to a series of illuminating interviews featuring prominent figures in the global film industry including European filmmaker Cristiano Bortone, producer and co-founder of boutique studio S11 Partners Ltd. Caroline Brew, Variety, 15 Mar. 2024 Soon, Gigante was studying the object up close, with sunlight illuminating its brass features. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Mar. 2024 Navigating through the sea of faces, illuminated by the glow of lit garlands around their necks and the sparkle of the disco ball, the sense of community was palpable. Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 13 Mar. 2024 The flashes from first responders' vehicles illuminated the sky like a strobe light, said Wieck. Detroit Free Press, 12 Mar. 2024 Some scientists are cataloging the molecules that stick to genes, or taking photographs of cells to illuminate the precise location of their proteins. Carl Zimmer, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2024 Because the moon is in the phase that is not being illuminated by the sun. Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024 His eyes were a mirror, illuminating to me what was possible for my life. EW.com, 5 Mar. 2024 The three large pictures of single figures in dark sylvan settings — one on each wall at Transformer’s tiny gallery space — are shadowy and partly illuminated by strange bluish light. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024
Adjective
The pillars are illuminate, educate, engage, energize, and future. IEEE Spectrum, 9 Feb. 2024 The other four pillars are designated illuminate, educate, engage, and energize. IEEE Spectrum, 3 May 2023 Flashlights, lamps, and cellphones illuminate bodies but obscure faces. Danielle Momoh, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Aug. 2022 Cole’s remarkable and unforgettable novel and its flâneur protagonist, Julius, a Nigerian immigrant, illuminate aspects of New York rarely before depicted in fiction. New York Times, 30 June 2022 Tender interactions like these illuminate Chloe’s emotional state, giving viewers more to latch on to than her longing stares and anxious lip biting. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Jan. 2022 Animated characters sing along as trees and snowflakes illuminate to the beat. Patrick Connolly, orlandosentinel.com, 17 Dec. 2021 The details of the dispute illuminate major hurdles that countries around the globe will face in eliminating coal from their energy mix—and the need to develop local solutions to set an ambitious and actionable path toward decarbonization. Baker Institute, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2021 If sentiments seem easily derived in a few stories, in the best ones, mysteries like Theodosia's illuminate larger truths about love, loyalty and the persistence of memory. Star Tribune, 8 Jan. 2021
Noun
Owners may see a parking brake warning light illuminate, along with an instrument-panel message about a problem. Alessandra Kaestner, Car and Driver, 31 July 2023 Lights in the dash illuminate to tell you the car is waiting for commands, or to give updates on navigation and battery status. Elana Scherr, Car and Driver, 3 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'illuminate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Latin illuminatus, past participle of illuminare, from in- + luminare to light up, from lumin-, lumen light — more at luminary

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1600, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of illuminate was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near illuminate

Cite this Entry

“Illuminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illuminate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

illuminate

verb
il·​lu·​mi·​nate
il-ˈü-mə-ˌnāt
illuminated; illuminating
1
: to supply with light : light up
illuminate a room
the part of the moon illuminated by the sun
2
: to make clear : explain
illuminated the point with good examples
3
: to decorate with designs or pictures in gold or colors
illuminate a manuscript
illuminative
-ˌnāt-iv
adjective
illuminator
-ˌnāt-ər
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on illuminate

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