illustrate

verb

il·​lus·​trate ˈi-lə-ˌstrāt How to pronounce illustrate (audio)
 also  i-ˈlə-
illustrated; illustrating

transitive verb

1
a
: 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
b
: to light up
4
a
archaic : to make illustrious
b obsolete
(1)
: to make bright
(2)
: adorn

intransitive verb

: to give an example or instance
illustrator
ˈi-lə-ˌstrā-tər How to pronounce illustrate (audio)
 also  i-ˈlə-
noun

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 In fact, the back half of the project, featuring stars ranging from Teyana Taylor to Coco Jones to Jeremih, illustrates just how adept Diddy remains at bridging gaps between a new generation of stars and his own. Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 15 Sep. 2023 The polls illustrate the tricky political challenges faced by Mr. Biden on immigration policy, one of the country's most divisive issues. Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2023 Apple’s supply chain efforts, though heroic by comparison, illustrate the limits of how far corporate greening can get you toward carbon neutral—only about three-quarters of the way by the company’s estimation. WIRED, 14 Sep. 2023 The images illustrate that the track-only Bolide is so much more than just a re-bodied Chiron. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2023 The self-driving car scenario illustrates this issue. Mark Bailey, The Conversation, 13 Sep. 2023 The episode with Grimes illustrates the difficulty Musk has had in his personal life, with former wives whom Isaacson interviewed complaining about Musk’s obsessions with work or his lack of empathy. Byirina Ivanova, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2023 The debate inside and outside the court walls illustrated the pervasive split in how Israelis view the high court. Shira Rubin, Washington Post, 12 Sep. 2023 That was illustrated by some drops and a major fourth-quarter mistake by K.C. Concepcion, who had a pass slip through his hands, hit him in the face mask and bounce to Notre Dame’s Xavier Watts to set up a short field and one of Hartman’s touchdown tosses. Aaron Beard, Chicago Tribune, 9 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'illustrate.' 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

Latin illustratus, past participle of illustrare, from in- + lustrare to purify, make bright — more at luster

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of illustrate was in 1526

Dictionary Entries Near illustrate

Cite this Entry

“Illustrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illustrate. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

illustrate

verb
il·​lus·​trate ˈil-əs-ˌtrāt How to pronounce illustrate (audio)
il-ˈəs-
illustrated; illustrating
1
: to make clear by using examples
illustrated his point with a personal experience
2
a
: to provide with pictures or diagrams intended to explain or decorate
illustrate a book
b
: to serve as an illustration
illustrator noun

More from Merriam-Webster on illustrate

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