enlightenment

noun

en·​light·​en·​ment in-ˈlī-tᵊn-mənt 

en-

1

: the act or means of enlightening : the state of being enlightened

2

Enlightenment : a philosophical movement of the 18th century marked by a rejection of traditional social, religious, and political ideas and an emphasis on rationalism

—used with the

3

Buddhism : a final blessed state marked by the absence of desire or suffering

Examples of enlightenment in a Sentence

the search for spiritual enlightenment

His comments failed to provide enlightenment.

the enlightenment of the public through education

Recent Examples on the Web

Columbus stood in his age as the pioneer of progress and enlightenment. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Sep. 2026

Avenues for Camilo’s enlightenment while still remaining distinct and vivid personalities, the women impose change on García Bernal’s hapless hero, who might be the least interesting among them. — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026

For their audience, however, the rich guys on the set for NFL games do offer the rare consistency of entertainment and enlightenment. — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Jack Kerouac sought enlightenment there; his compatriot Neal Cassady was imprisoned there, in San Quentin. — Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1621, in the meaning defined at sense 1