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
Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 5 June 2024
Designed after the Pismo Beach seaside block-letter sign, the 3D Pittsburg sign with 6-foot-tall letters will be illuminated at night, though the silhouette of the letters will be orange and black, same as the high school’s colors, according to Barker Portillo.
—Judith Prieve, The Mercury News, 5 June 2024
IEEE Spectrum, 9 Feb. 2024
The other four pillars are designated illuminate, educate, engage, and energize.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 May 2023
Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
Owners may see a parking brake warning light illuminate, along with an instrument-panel message about a problem.
—Alessandra Kaestner, Car and Driver, 31 July 2023
See all Example Sentences for illuminate 
Verb
An introspective full moon in Capricorn on June 21 illuminates your 12th house of secrets, healing and unconscious patterns, urging you to retreat inward and reflect on the demands of your day-to-day life.
—Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 5 June 2024
Designed after the Pismo Beach seaside block-letter sign, the 3D Pittsburg sign with 6-foot-tall letters will be illuminated at night, though the silhouette of the letters will be orange and black, same as the high school’s colors, according to Barker Portillo.
—Judith Prieve, The Mercury News, 5 June 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
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
Owners may see a parking brake warning light illuminate, along with an instrument-panel message about a problem.
—Alessandra Kaestner, Car and Driver, 31 July 2023
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 11 Jun. 2024.
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