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
Abbey Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 Sep. 2025
After the ceremony, the couple said that guests were ushered to a sunset cocktail hour set up between the horse stables before moving onto the reception dinner in the garden, which was illuminated with candles and lanterns.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
More streaming data than ever before has illuminated growing demand that was already there.
—Alex Ashley, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2025
Most cosmologists believe that these stars were the first large, free-floating structures to illuminate our universe, and that black holes appeared later.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
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Verb
The common thread running through the winners, illuminated through a series of talks and presentations leading up to the awards ceremony, is their chefs' and founders' deep passion for their heritage and dedication to telling their personal stories through food.
—Abbey Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 Sep. 2025
After the ceremony, the couple said that guests were ushered to a sunset cocktail hour set up between the horse stables before moving onto the reception dinner in the garden, which was illuminated with candles and lanterns.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
More streaming data than ever before has illuminated growing demand that was already there.
—Alex Ashley, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2025
Most cosmologists believe that these stars were the first large, free-floating structures to illuminate our universe, and that black holes appeared later.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 24 Sep. 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 29 Sep. 2025.
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