illustration

noun

il·​lus·​tra·​tion ˌi-lə-ˈstrā-shən 

 also  i-ˌlə-

1

: something that serves to illustrate: such as

a

: a picture or diagram that helps make something clear or attractive

b

: an example or instance that helps make something clear

2

a

: the action of illustrating : the condition of being illustrated

b

archaic : the action of making illustrious or honored or distinguished

illustrational

ˌi-lə-ˈstrā-sh(ə-)nəl 

 also  i-ˌlə-

adjective

Synonyms

• diagram
• figure
• graphic
• plate
• visual

Choose the Right Synonym for illustration

instance, case, illustration, example, sample, specimen mean something that exhibits distinguishing characteristics in its category.

instance applies to any individual person, act, or thing that may be offered to illustrate or explain.

an instance of history repeating itself

case is used to direct attention to a real or assumed occurrence or situation that is to be considered, studied, or dealt with.

a case of mistaken identity

illustration applies to an instance offered as a means of clarifying or illuminating a general statement.

a telling illustration of Murphy's Law

example applies to a typical, representative, or illustrative instance or case.

a typical example of bureaucratic waste

sample implies a part or unit taken at random from a larger whole and so presumed to be typical of its qualities.

show us a sample of your work

specimen applies to any example or sample whether representative or merely existent and available.

one of the finest specimens of the jeweler's art

Examples of illustration in a Sentence

The illustration on page 30 shows the parts of an engine.

a book with many photographs and illustrations

The illustrations that he provided in his speech were very effective.

They selected photographs to use for the illustration of the book.

Illustration is the key to good communication.

Recent Examples on the Web

The process of writing Yaya and the Sea was different in that the writing and the illustrations had to work in tandem. —Bridgette Bartlett Royall, Essence, 10 Apr. 2024

Dutch painting was a big influence on him, but so were the novels of Charles Dickens and the illustrations of Gustave Doré. —Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024

The commemorative edition of milk and honey blends the old with the new, including an additional chapter of poetry and illustrations, as well as a fresh introduction by Kaur. —Carly Tagen-Dye, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024

Dorsey’s petition points to his work as a staff barber as just one illustration of this rehabilitation. —Dakin Andone, CNN, 7 Apr. 2024

His daughter is rendered as a literal stick-figure illustration, out of privacy. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 1 Apr. 2024

Prather graduated from Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida, with a degree in illustration. —Jenny Rudolph, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Mar. 2024

Right-handers, set up for stations 2 through 6 by pointing your bellybutton at the low house, then turn your body to the hold point and your eyes to the look point (see first illustration above). —Phil Bourjaily, Field & Stream, 21 Mar. 2024

Create illustrations, change video styles, or even compose music based on textual descriptions. —Ian Shepherd, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing illustration

• by way of illustration

Kids Definition

illustration

noun

il·​lus·​tra·​tion ˌil-əs-ˈtrā-shən 

1

: the action of illustrating : the condition of being illustrated

2

: an example or instance used to make something clear

3

: a picture or diagram that explains or decorates