illuminate

1 of 3

verb

il·​lu·​mi·​nate i-ˈlü-mə-ˌnāt How to pronounce illuminate (audio)
illuminated; illuminating

transitive verb

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
a
: to make clear : elucidate
b
: to bring to the fore : highlight
a crisis can illuminate how interdependent we all are
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
illuminator noun

illuminate

2 of 3

adjective

il·​lu·​mi·​nate i-ˈlü-mə-nət How to pronounce illuminate (audio)
1
archaic : brightened with light
2
archaic : intellectually or spiritually enlightened

illuminate

3 of 3

noun

il·​lu·​mi·​nate i-ˈlü-mə-nət How to pronounce illuminate (audio)
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
Verb
Bhangra rhythms and African drums played late into the night, as the guests squealed with pleasure, their faces illuminated by the torches of fire eaters. Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2023 But the lounge, illuminated by the towering double-height window, is a vibrant union of disparate influences. Alice Newell-Hanson, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2023 Over the last several years, the building has been illuminated in support of various sociopolitical causes. Pamela Chelin, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2023 The northern lights typically illuminate the night sky at high latitudes, but during intense periods of solar activity, they can occasionally be spotted farther south than normal. Denise Chow, NBC News, 19 Sep. 2023 The James Webb Space Telescope has helped astronomers make headway there, by enabling spectroscopy of planetary atmospheres and illuminating promising worlds like K2-18 b, which has methane and carbon dioxide, and GJ 486 b, which appears to have water vapor. Ramin Skibba, WIRED, 13 Sep. 2023 There are illuminating historical and contemporary analogies. Shay Khatiri, National Review, 12 Sep. 2023 This is because the moon is in the phase that is not being illuminated by the Sun. Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2023 Might be illuminating to compare what’s written to the policy. cleveland, 12 Sep. 2023
Adjective
The other four pillars are designated illuminate, educate, engage, and energize. IEEE Spectrum, 3 May 2023 Flashlights, lamps, and cellphones illuminate bodies but obscure faces. Danielle Momoh, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Aug. 2022 Cole’s remarkable and unforgettable novel and its flâneur protagonist, Julius, a Nigerian immigrant, illuminate aspects of New York rarely before depicted in fiction. New York Times, 30 June 2022 Tender interactions like these illuminate Chloe’s emotional state, giving viewers more to latch on to than her longing stares and anxious lip biting. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Jan. 2022 Animated characters sing along as trees and snowflakes illuminate to the beat. Patrick Connolly, orlandosentinel.com, 17 Dec. 2021 The details of the dispute illuminate major hurdles that countries around the globe will face in eliminating coal from their energy mix—and the need to develop local solutions to set an ambitious and actionable path toward decarbonization. Baker Institute, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2021 If sentiments seem easily derived in a few stories, in the best ones, mysteries like Theodosia's illuminate larger truths about love, loyalty and the persistence of memory. Star Tribune, 8 Jan. 2021 The problem is that, while the careful study of history can provide policymakers with powerful insights, incongruous comparisons can just as easily obscure as illuminate contemporary challenges. Richard Fontaine, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2017
Noun
Owners may see a parking brake warning light illuminate, along with an instrument-panel message about a problem. Alessandra Kaestner, Car and Driver, 31 July 2023 Lights in the dash illuminate to tell you the car is waiting for commands, or to give updates on navigation and battery status. Elana Scherr, Car and Driver, 3 June 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'illuminate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Latin illuminatus, past participle of illuminare, from in- + luminare to light up, from lumin-, lumen light — more at luminary

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1600, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of illuminate was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near illuminate

Cite this Entry

“Illuminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illuminate. Accessed 30 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

illuminate

verb
il·​lu·​mi·​nate
il-ˈü-mə-ˌnāt
illuminated; illuminating
1
: to supply with light : light up
illuminate a room
the part of the moon illuminated by the sun
2
: to make clear : explain
illuminated the point with good examples
3
: to decorate with designs or pictures in gold or colors
illuminate a manuscript
illuminative
-ˌnāt-iv
adjective
illuminator
-ˌnāt-ər
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on illuminate

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