il·lu·mi·nate
i-ˈlü-mə-ˌnāt 
illuminated; illuminating
1
a(1)
: to supply or brighten with light
candles illuminating a church
(2)
: to make luminous or shining
b
: to enlighten spiritually or intellectually
a career educator who illuminated hundreds of students
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
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
Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 31 Jan. 2026
February begins with snow on the ground in some parts of the world and a Snow Moon illuminating the night sky.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026
Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights are not illuminated, reducing the risk of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.
—Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2026
The idea of an electric light bulb illuminating a room would be mesmerizing for many Americans at the time, but for Benjamin and first lady Caroline Harrison, bringing electricity into their home left them scared.
—Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
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Verb
Then, the camera turns to Iris, her face illuminated by the embers.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 31 Jan. 2026
February begins with snow on the ground in some parts of the world and a Snow Moon illuminating the night sky.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026
Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights are not illuminated, reducing the risk of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.
—Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2026
The idea of an electric light bulb illuminating a room would be mesmerizing for many Americans at the time, but for Benjamin and first lady Caroline Harrison, bringing electricity into their home left them scared.
—Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illuminate
Cite this Entry
“Illuminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illuminate. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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