Entry Word: illustration

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 something that visually explains or decorates a text <the book on birds had gorgeous illustrations>

Synonyms diagram, figure, graphic, plate

Related Words drawing, illumination, image, pictogram, pictograph, picture; caption, key, legend; depiction, portrait, portrayal, representation; clarification, elucidation, explanation, explication, exposition

2 a statement that makes something clear <forced to give several illustrations until she was understood> — see explanation 1
3 a two-dimensional design intended to look like a person or thing <the doctor sketched an illustration to explain the procedure to the patient> — see picture 1
4 one of a group or collection that shows what the whole is like <chose one essay as an illustration of the high quality of the collection> — see example