illustrate

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

Updated on: 10 May 2018

Definition of illustrate

illustrated; illustrating

transitive verb

1 obsolete

a : enlighten

b : to light up

2 a archaic : to make illustrious

b obsolete

(1) : to make bright

(2) : adorn

3 a : to make clear : clarify

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

c : to provide with visual features intended to explain or decorate

illustrate a book

4 : to show clearly : demonstrate

intransitive verb

: to give an example or instance

—

illustrator

play \ˈi-lə-ˌstrā-tər also i-ˈlə-\ noun

See illustrate defined for English-language learners

See illustrate defined for kids

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 of illustrate from the Web

The videos illustrate a range of scenarios: Some show the mammals being coddled as pets, while others picture them sparring among themselves or being hunted by humans.

— jessica leigh hester, WIRED, "What Ecologists Can Learn From Memes," 7 May 2018
And Fortnite is leading the pack by illustrating just how to make this combination of genre elements, business model innovations, and raw fun factor have influential, industry-changing staying power.

— nick statt, The Verge, "Fortnite is the biggest game on the planet right now because it’s a living, breathing world," 6 May 2018
Both stand as signs of lethal injustice while also illustrating the possibility of change and growth.

— jemar tisby, Houston Chronicle, "Commentary: How crucifixion of Jesus foreshadowed lynching," 6 May 2018
These dishes and all the others are hand illustrated in full color on the menu—amusing enough to frame but too big to slip under your coat.

— mike sula, Chicago Reader, "Radio Anago is Brendan Sodikoff’s sushi cave under the deep dark sea . . .," 3 May 2018
There will be resistance to this, and a panel this week at the Aspen Institute of Sports and Society illustrated some of it.

— mike finger, San Antonio Express-News, "NCAA still dodging fundamental question," 2 May 2018
Plenty of new power plants are constructed every year in the United States, adding gigawatts of power generation to grids across the country, but the past few months have illustrated a dramatic shift in the type of power plant being built.

— avery thompson, Popular Mechanics, "Renewable Power Plants Are Dominating 2018," 26 Apr. 2018
Others illustrate how the safety barriers have been destroyed over time, but that doesn’t seem to bother the local drivers who take the conditions in stride, despite the narrowness and steep drop off next to them.

— Fox News, "The world's wildest road goes through a waterfall in the Himalayas," 26 Apr. 2018
The dynamic illustrates one of the wider challenges in American climate policy, analysts said.

— benjamin storrow, Scientific American, "Cars Threaten Climate Goals in Blue States," 17 Apr. 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.

Origin and Etymology of illustrate

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1526

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

illustrate Synonyms

ILLUSTRATE Defined for English Language Learners

illustrate

verb

Definition of illustrate for English Language Learners

: to give examples in order to make (something) easier to understand
: to be proof or evidence of (something)
: to explain or decorate a story, book, etc., with pictures

ILLUSTRATE Defined for Kids

illustrate

verb il·lus·trate \ ˈi-lə-ˌstrāt \

Definition of illustrate for Students

illustrated; illustrating

1 : to supply with pictures or diagrams meant to explain or decorate

illustrate a book

2 : to make clear by using examples

She illustrated her point with stories.

3 : to serve as an example

The results illustrate the need for planning.

Learn More about illustrate

See words that rhyme with illustrate Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for illustrate Spanish Central: Translation of illustrate Nglish: Translation of illustrate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of illustrate for Arabic speakers

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illustrate

Definition of illustrate

illustrator

Examples of illustrate in a Sentence

Recent Examples of illustrate from the Web

Origin and Etymology of illustrate

illustrate Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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ILLUSTRATE Defined for English Language Learners

illustrate

Definition of illustrate for English Language Learners

ILLUSTRATE Defined for Kids

illustrate

Definition of illustrate for Students

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