illustrate

verb

il·​lus·​trate ˈi-lə-ˌstrāt How to pronounce illustrate (audio)
 also  i-ˈlə-
illustrated; illustrating

transitive verb

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
obsolete
a
b
: to light up
4
a
archaic : to make illustrious
b obsolete
(1)
: to make bright
(2)
: adorn

intransitive verb

: to give an example or instance
illustrator
ˈi-lə-ˌstrā-tər How to pronounce illustrate (audio)
 also  i-ˈlə-
noun

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 What this example illustrates is that maximalism has always existed alongside minimalism. Lauren Gallow, Robb Report, 17 Mar. 2024 The California Energy Commission provides authoritative data on statewide ZEV sales, and their online graphics illustrate the accepted meaning of the ZEV misnomer in governmental nomenclature. Peter Douglas, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2024 Deliberately avoiding flash, the Black Keys kept their head down and delivered hearty, muscular music that illustrated how, at its best, blues rock shifts with the times. Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rolling Stone, 15 Mar. 2024 The Mended Murals initiative was conceived to illustrate that without proper care or resources, murals that were once vibrant reflections of culture and people in communities can fade over time. Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 14 Mar. 2024 The trajectory of Carr’s life illustrates how science often advances faster than the ethical rules to address it. Amy Dockser Marcus, WSJ, 13 Mar. 2024 The current war in Gaza illustrates this mixed record. Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 12 Mar. 2024 Porter has famously drilled people in congressional hearings with questions, using a whiteboard to illustrate her points. Faith E. Pinho, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2024 Early in the trial, to illustrate how Mr. Trump exaggerated his wealth when pursuing potential deals, a lawyer for the attorney general asked a witness about Mr. Trump’s failed effort to buy the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League a decade ago. Ben Protess, New York Times, 2 Mar. 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.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of illustrate was in 1526

Dictionary Entries Near illustrate

Cite this Entry

“Illustrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illustrate. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

illustrate

verb
il·​lus·​trate ˈil-əs-ˌtrāt How to pronounce illustrate (audio)
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
illustrator noun

More from Merriam-Webster on illustrate

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