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
Geraldine Castro, WIRED, 6 Apr. 2024
The Pew report illuminates a lot of that discontent, but one figure stands out.
—Belinda Luscombe, TIME, 4 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for illuminate 
Verb
During the experiment, the researchers artificially illuminated part of a colony.
—Geraldine Castro, WIRED, 6 Apr. 2024
The Pew report illuminates a lot of that discontent, but one figure stands out.
—Belinda Luscombe, TIME, 4 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for illuminate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'illuminate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Illuminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illuminate. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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