illustrate

verb

il·lus·trate | \ ˈi-lə-ˌstrāt also i-ˈlə-

illustrated; illustrating

Definition of illustrate

transitive verb

1a : to provide with visual features intended to explain or decorate illustrate a book

b : to make clear by giving or by serving as an example or instance

c : to make clear : clarify

2 : to show clearly : demonstrate

3 obsolete

a : enlighten

b : to light up

4a archaic : to make illustrious

b obsolete

(1) : to make bright

(2) : adorn

intransitive verb

: to give an example or instance

Other Words from illustrate Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about illustrate

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Examples of illustrate in a Sentence

He illustrated his lecture with stories of his own experiences in the field. Please give a few examples to illustrate your point. The results illustrate how important it is to wear your seatbelt. The students will write and illustrate their own stories.

Recent Examples on the Web

The photos were identified as such but wrongly described online as illustrating imprisonment under Trump. — Jewel Wicker, Teen Vogue, "Report Claims Trump Administration Is Still Separating Families at the Border," 28 Nov. 2018 As Jonas's post illustrates, diabetes is a complex condition and often isn't straightforward to diagnose or manage. — Korin Miller, SELF, "The Diabetes Symptom That Finally Helped Nick Jonas Get a Diagnosis," 19 Nov. 2018 Fighter jets and 21st-century burgers As Wilson's anecdote illustrates, where there are fans, there's often tribalism. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, "Open mind, wide open throttle: We go to our first NASCAR race," 15 Nov. 2018 The self-dealing at the heart of this arrangement was best illustrated by Robert Trump, whose father paid him a $500,000 annual salary. — Susanne Craig, The Seattle Times, "Trump engaged in suspect tax schemes as he reaped riches from father," 2 Oct. 2018 For example, their choices for theater-ready fashion could really not be more different, as illustrated when Meghan and Prince Harry attended last night’s Hamilton gala performance together. — Lucy Wood, Marie Claire, "Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle's Theater Looks Couldn't Be More Different," 30 Aug. 2018 But beneath the attention-getting promotion there was plenty of substance, as illustrated by his multiple collaborations with Celia Cruz and future salsa superstar Rubén Blades. — James Porter, Chicago Reader, "Iconic Trombonist Willie Colón brings his Nuyorican sounds to Millennium Park," 12 July 2018 As your question illustrates, employees today want flexible work options. — Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, "Ask HR: My company wants a health risk assessment. What will it be used for?," 10 July 2018 The legal and moral correctness of the decision is easily illustrated by flipping the circumstances. — Dan Walters, SFChronicle.com, "Supreme Court voids California law, upholds free speech," 27 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'illustrate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.