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

Causation seems dubious, but the point is about an outside force facilitating enlightenment. — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2026

Her playlist doubles as a spiritual cleansing ritual, with Jhené Aiko providing affirmations and SZA reminding her that enlightenment won’t protect you from situationships. — Precious Fondren, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2026

Those initiated into the Golden Dawn were expected to progress through a ranking of grades to reach a level of enlightenment that might be described as superhuman. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026

Communicate that one political conclusion represents enlightenment while another represents moral deficiency. — Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1621, in the meaning defined at sense 1