luminary

noun

lu·​mi·​nary ˈlü-mə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce luminary (audio)
plural luminaries
1
: a person of prominence or brilliant achievement
a literary luminary
a luminary in the medical profession
2
: a body that gives light
especially : one of the celestial bodies
skywatchers … will see one more bright luminary below Orion and Canis Major Martin Ratcliffe
luminary adjective

Did you know?

As, dare we say, leading lights of the dictionary game, we're here to brighten your day with the 411 on luminary. This word has been casting its glow in English since the 15th century, and it traces back to the Latin word lumen, meaning "light." Other lumen descendants in English include illuminate ("to light up"), luminous ("emitting light"), phillumenist ("one who collects matchbooks or matchbox labels"), and bioluminescence ("the emission of light from living organisms").

Examples of luminary in a Sentence

luminaries of the art world awed by the vast number of luminaries in the night sky
Recent Examples on the Web Rap luminaries celebrated on the heels of the Grammy’s Salute to 50 Years of Hip Hop, a testament to the global unifying power of music. Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 4 Mar. 2024 United Artists was formed more than a century ago by a cadre of film luminaries, including Charlie Chaplin and Mary Pickford. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2024 Giving artists free rein to design bedrooms could go a little Yoko Ono, but the rooms in Château Royal Mitte hotel are all, well, works of art, by luminaries such as Damien Hirst, Danh Vo, and Simon Fujiwara. Rick Jordan, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Feb. 2024 Since the start of the war, U.S. and European government officials have visited Unit City; so have tech executives and luminaries like Vitalik Buterin, a creator of the Ethereum cryptocurrency blockchain. TIME, 8 Feb. 2024 He’s made Colorado his home for decades, but has frequently traveled the world, sharing the stage with luminaries as varied as Anthony Braxton and Maynard Ferguson. Bret Saunders, The Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2024 Which potential luminaries, leaders, and change-makers might be left behind? Olamide Dozier-Williams, Baltimore Sun, 22 Jan. 2024 Here’s a list of global business luminaries that have gravitated to Ambani’s business orbit over the years. Anto Antony, Fortune Asia, 1 Mar. 2024 They’ll be made to experience everything from starring in a music video or performing during a football halftime show to sharing the stage with Broadway luminaries. Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'luminary.' 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

Middle English luminarye, from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French luminaire light, luminary, from Late Latin luminaria, plural of luminare lamp, heavenly body, from Latin, window, from lumin-, lumen light; akin to Latin lucēre to shine — more at light

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

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Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

luminary

noun
lu·​mi·​nary ˈlü-mə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce luminary (audio)
plural luminaries
1
: a very famous person
2
: a source of light
especially : one of the heavenly bodies
luminary adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on luminary

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