the Enlightenment

noun

: a movement of the 18th century that stressed the belief that science and logic give people more knowledge and understanding than tradition and religion

Examples of the Enlightenment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

More recently, historians have suggested that men did encroach on midwifery practices, but much earlier than the early modern period; and that female midwives still undertook the vast majority of maternity care well into the Enlightenment. —Literary Hub, 16 June 2026

Historically, humanists, especially since the Enlightenment, have defined themselves against religion generally, and against Christianity specifically. —Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026

Some historians have highlighted the influence of John Locke and other philosophers of the Enlightenment; others have emphasized the economic and political concerns of merchants, artisans and farmers in a prosperous outpost of the British Empire. —New York Times, 9 June 2026

The concept of having a press representing multiple political parties derived from the Enlightenment, particularly the political philosophy of John Locke and Thomas Paine. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026