illustrate
verb
il·lus·trate
ˈi-lə-ˌstrāt 
also i-ˈlə-
illustrated; illustrating
1
a
: to provide with visual features intended to explain or decorate
illustrate a book
b
: to make clear by giving or by serving as an example or instance
personal experiences illustrated his point
c
: to make clear : clarify
illustrate a difficult subject
2
: to show clearly : demonstrate
recent events illustrate the need for change
3
4
: to give an example or instance
Examples of illustrate in a Sentence
He illustrated his lecture with stories of his own experiences in the field.
Please give a few examples to illustrate your point.
The results illustrate how important it is to wear your seatbelt.
The students will write and illustrate their own stories.
Recent Examples on the Web
The poll is only the latest evidence of the race's competitiveness, which has drawn national attention due to the candidates' high spending and the race's potential to illustrate where voters are leaning a year ahead of the consequential 2026 midterm elections.
—
Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
The new menu items will be served in limited-edition packaging that’s illustrated with gingerbread-style Munchkins, which are storybook-style characters of Dunkin' Munchkin donut holes, but are wearing seasonal outfits.
—Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
As illustrated at the team’s preseason luncheon, team-building will be important with a myriad of new faces making up the team’s impact and ancillary pieces.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2025
But before the Dragon Ball anime, Toriyama worked on character designs for the Dragon Quest series, illustrating, among dozens of others, the instantly recognizable Slime seen in every entry in the series.
—Rhi Easby, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
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Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
The new menu items will be served in limited-edition packaging that’s illustrated with gingerbread-style Munchkins, which are storybook-style characters of Dunkin' Munchkin donut holes, but are wearing seasonal outfits.
—Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
As illustrated at the team’s preseason luncheon, team-building will be important with a myriad of new faces making up the team’s impact and ancillary pieces.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2025
But before the Dragon Ball anime, Toriyama worked on character designs for the Dragon Quest series, illustrating, among dozens of others, the instantly recognizable Slime seen in every entry in the series.
—Rhi Easby, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
Cite this Entry
“Illustrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illustrate. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
illustrate
verb
il·lus·trate
ˈil-əs-ˌtrāt
il-ˈəs-
illustrated; illustrating
1
: to make clear by using examples
illustrated his point with a personal experience
2
a
: to provide with pictures or diagrams intended to explain or decorate
illustrate a book
b
: to serve as an illustration
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