il·lu·mi·nate
i-ˈlü-mə-ˌnāt 
illuminated; illuminating
1
a(1)
: to supply or brighten with light
(2)
: to make luminous or shining
b
: to enlighten spiritually or intellectually
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
Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 27 July 2025
European and American leaders have spoken out against French President Emmanuel Macron's plan to officially recognize Palestine as a state, illuminating the cracks among nations that make up the Group of Seven (G7) amid the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 July 2025
Around the mid-1980s, roughly, the wording became more descriptive, illuminating not only what the players did, but how.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 25 July 2025
Smith also submitted multiple photos of lights being illuminated after 11 p.m.
—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
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Verb
Venus enters Cancer on July 30th, illuminating your public image and long-term goals.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 27 July 2025
European and American leaders have spoken out against French President Emmanuel Macron's plan to officially recognize Palestine as a state, illuminating the cracks among nations that make up the Group of Seven (G7) amid the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 July 2025
Around the mid-1980s, roughly, the wording became more descriptive, illuminating not only what the players did, but how.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 25 July 2025
Smith also submitted multiple photos of lights being illuminated after 11 p.m.
—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 22 July 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 8 Aug. 2025.
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