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 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 To him, every toy truck should come with a tire that slowly deflates to illustrate the concept of running out of time. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2024 Three examples illustrate the transformative potential of custom AI solutions: MORE FOR YOU 1. Stoyan Mitov, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Having her talk to her fetus was a way to illustrate the power of the Water of Life, this substance that gives you access to the past lives of previous Reverend Mothers. Christian Holub, EW.com, 1 Mar. 2024 The engrossing process illustrated the craftsmanship that renders Delvaux second to none. Ian Malone, Vogue, 1 Mar. 2024 To illustrate why the Grammy winner is a true breakthrough artist, Billboard Explains has put together a brief overview of Tems’ impressive chart success. Kyle Denis, Billboard, 29 Feb. 2024 The fundamentally different responses to coping with the surge in migration illustrate the crossroads that the nation faces on one of the election’s most critical issues. Arelis R. Hernández, Washington Post, 29 Feb. 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 19 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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