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
Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2025
Her immense talent will illuminate our film and will bring Nathalie’s vision to life.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 14 May 2025
Maehara was riding his electric bicycle on Merle Drive in Montebello, not far from his home, around 10 p.m. on April 29 when headlights from a car approaching him from behind illuminated his path.
—Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2025
Sure enough, 36 hours after an exhausting overtime affair ended, the biggest difference between these teams illuminated itself as another grueling game spiraled toward the finish line.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
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Verb
For many centuries, historians assumed that in ancient times, the chamber was brightly illuminated by the Grecian sun.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2025
Her immense talent will illuminate our film and will bring Nathalie’s vision to life.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 14 May 2025
Maehara was riding his electric bicycle on Merle Drive in Montebello, not far from his home, around 10 p.m. on April 29 when headlights from a car approaching him from behind illuminated his path.
—Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2025
Sure enough, 36 hours after an exhausting overtime affair ended, the biggest difference between these teams illuminated itself as another grueling game spiraled toward the finish line.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 12 May 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 22 May. 2025.
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