illustrate
verb
il·lus·trate
ˈi-lə-ˌstrāt 
also i-ˈlə-
illustrated; illustrating
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
4
: to give an example or instance
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
Pecker's testimony illustrated the prosecution argument that Trump conspired to hide scandalous stories before the 2016 election, although Trump denies paying for them.
—
Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 23 Apr. 2024
As if to reassure novice cooks, Komolafe’s guide is playfully designed and illustrated with beautiful, happy photos of the food and of Lagos itself, its residents and markets.
—Hannah Whitaker, The New Yorker, 22 Apr. 2024
Palestinians in the West Bank went on a general strike to protest an Israeli military raid at a refugee camp a day earlier in which at least 10 people were killed, in an episode that illustrated the continuing unrest in the territory.
—Adam Rasgon, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2024
This comic was written and illustrated by Connie Hanzhang Jin, based on reporting from Regina Barber and Connie Hanzhang Jin.
—Connie Hanzhang Jin, NPR, 18 Apr. 2024
The juxtaposition between hues and materials is perhaps best illustrated in the main salon where a hammered rock centerpiece sits next to a soft calf-skin bar.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2024
Few services better illustrate the government’s overwhelming dependence on Microsoft—and an area where some experts say a more diversified approach would be safer—than email.
—Eric Geller, WIRED, 15 Apr. 2024
Ohtani’s coolness is contagious, as Friday illustrated two other examples of resilience winning the fight with uncertainty.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2024
From a visual style that cites the wild, earth-toned cinema of New Hollywood to the motifs of American rock music and Coca-Cola, Park, who directed three episodes, illustrates how the soft power of cultural imperialism can blur battle lines.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 10 Apr. 2024
Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 23 Apr. 2024
As if to reassure novice cooks, Komolafe’s guide is playfully designed and illustrated with beautiful, happy photos of the food and of Lagos itself, its residents and markets.
—Hannah Whitaker, The New Yorker, 22 Apr. 2024
Palestinians in the West Bank went on a general strike to protest an Israeli military raid at a refugee camp a day earlier in which at least 10 people were killed, in an episode that illustrated the continuing unrest in the territory.
—Adam Rasgon, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2024
This comic was written and illustrated by Connie Hanzhang Jin, based on reporting from Regina Barber and Connie Hanzhang Jin.
—Connie Hanzhang Jin, NPR, 18 Apr. 2024
The juxtaposition between hues and materials is perhaps best illustrated in the main salon where a hammered rock centerpiece sits next to a soft calf-skin bar.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2024
Few services better illustrate the government’s overwhelming dependence on Microsoft—and an area where some experts say a more diversified approach would be safer—than email.
—Eric Geller, WIRED, 15 Apr. 2024
Ohtani’s coolness is contagious, as Friday illustrated two other examples of resilience winning the fight with uncertainty.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2024
From a visual style that cites the wild, earth-toned cinema of New Hollywood to the motifs of American rock music and Coca-Cola, Park, who directed three episodes, illustrates how the soft power of cultural imperialism can blur battle lines.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 10 Apr. 2024
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.
Dictionary Entries Near illustrate
Cite this Entry
“Illustrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illustrate. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
illustrate
verb
il·lus·trate
ˈil-əs-ˌtrāt
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
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