il·lu·mi·nate
i-ˈlü-mə-ˌnāt 
illuminated; illuminating
1
a(1)
: to supply or brighten with light
candles illuminating a church
(2)
: to make luminous or shining
b
: to enlighten spiritually or intellectually
a career educator who illuminated hundreds of students
c
: to subject to radiation
d
archaic
: to set alight
2
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
il·lu·mi·nate
i-ˈlü-mə-nət
1
archaic
: brightened with light
2
archaic
: intellectually or spiritually enlightened
il·lu·mi·nate
i-ˈlü-mə-nət
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
T.j. Olwig, Travel + Leisure, 26 Dec. 2025
The post, which was also shared by Chisholm on his Instagram feed, featured a snap of the athlete getting down on one knee in front of Santiago with the glow of the Northern Lights illuminating the sky behind them.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
String lighting illuminates the venue within a venue, which is equipped with farm-table seating for up to 120 guests, lush plant walls, its own bar (the tap list for which can be customized) and private restrooms.
—Brandon Hernandez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Dec. 2025
The eerie green glow illuminating the cleanroom wasn't festive lighting but the result of a long exposure combined with a small indicator lamp on the wall, an unassuming signal that the airflow in the room was just right.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
During the holidays, it's even offered in the dark on their Nature at Night tour, illuminated by festive lights.
—T.j. Olwig, Travel + Leisure, 26 Dec. 2025
The post, which was also shared by Chisholm on his Instagram feed, featured a snap of the athlete getting down on one knee in front of Santiago with the glow of the Northern Lights illuminating the sky behind them.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
String lighting illuminates the venue within a venue, which is equipped with farm-table seating for up to 120 guests, lush plant walls, its own bar (the tap list for which can be customized) and private restrooms.
—Brandon Hernandez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Dec. 2025
The eerie green glow illuminating the cleanroom wasn't festive lighting but the result of a long exposure combined with a small indicator lamp on the wall, an unassuming signal that the airflow in the room was just right.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Cite this Entry
“Illuminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illuminate. Accessed 27 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share