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
Synonyms
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
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
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
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
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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
Articles Related to illuminate
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.
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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
adjective
-ˌnāt-iv
illuminator
noun
-ˌnāt-ər
More from Merriam-Webster on illuminate
Nglish: Translation of illuminate for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of illuminate for Arabic Speakers
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