il·lu·mi·nate
i-ˈlü-mə-ˌnāt 
illuminated; illuminating
1
a(1)
: to supply or brighten with light
(2)
: to make luminous or shining
b
: to enlighten spiritually or intellectually
c
: to subject to radiation
d
archaic
: to set alight
2
3
: to make illustrious or resplendent
4
: to decorate (something, such as a manuscript) with gold or silver or brilliant colors or with often elaborate designs or miniature pictures
il·lu·mi·nate
i-ˈlü-mə-nət
1
archaic
: brightened with light
2
archaic
: intellectually or spiritually enlightened
il·lu·mi·nate
i-ˈlü-mə-nət
archaic
: one having or claiming unusual enlightenment
Synonyms
Examples of illuminate in a Sentence
Verb
the part of the moon illuminated by the sun
A university study has illuminated the problem.
Recent Examples on the Web
Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024
The painting — depicting a house at night, illuminated by a lamp post, while under a bright, blue sky — is one of a series by the Belgian artist showing the interplay of shadow and light.
—Greg McKenna, Fortune, 20 Nov. 2024
IEEE Spectrum, 9 Feb. 2024
The other four pillars are designated illuminate, educate, engage, and energize.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 May 2023
Colin Demarest, Axios, 11 July 2024
Watch:Doordash driver's dashcam video shows meteor illuminate night sky in Florida
Artemis astronauts will need a vehicle on the moon.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for illuminate 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
Kingsolver’s speech was a testament to the power of writers as disrupters who can illuminate injustices and uncomfortable pressure points through literature.
—Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024
The painting — depicting a house at night, illuminated by a lamp post, while under a bright, blue sky — is one of a series by the Belgian artist showing the interplay of shadow and light.
—Greg McKenna, Fortune, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
The pillars are illuminate, educate, engage, energize, and future.
—IEEE Spectrum, 9 Feb. 2024
The other four pillars are designated illuminate, educate, engage, and energize.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 May 2023
Noun
Subscribe to Axios Communicators for more stories like this
Colin Demarest
Jul 10, 2024 - World
Inside the next era of warfare: How tech is reshaping the battlefield
Conflicts abroad and defense-contract competitions at home illuminate in real time the future of America's war machine.
—Colin Demarest, Axios, 11 July 2024
Watch:Doordash driver's dashcam video shows meteor illuminate night sky in Florida
Artemis astronauts will need a vehicle on the moon.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for illuminate
Articles Related to illuminate
Dictionary Entries Near illuminate
Cite this Entry
“Illuminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illuminate. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share