illumination
noun
il·lu·mi·na·tion
i-ˌlü-mə-ˈnā-shən 
1
: the action of illuminating or state of being illuminated: such as
a
: spiritual or intellectual enlightenment
b(1)
: a lighting up
(2)
: decorative lighting or lighting effects
c
: decoration by the art of illuminating
2
: the luminous flux per unit area on an intercepting surface at any given point
3
: one of the decorative features used in the art of illuminating or in decorative lighting
Synonyms
Examples of illumination in a Sentence
When taking photographs indoors, use a flash for illumination.
They traveled to the temple in search of spiritual illumination.
an old manuscript with beautiful illuminations
Recent Examples on the Web
The second full moon of 2025 will reach peak illumination at 5:53 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12, in California, according to Time and Date, an online calendar.
—
Hannah Poukish, Sacramento Bee, 31 Jan. 2025
But the moon will also appear extra bright for about three days around the time of its peak illumination, from Sunday evening into Wednesday morning.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
The moon is currently in its waning crescent phase, at 11% illumination, according to Space.com.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 27 Dec. 2024
Another showed the dull illumination of the fire overnight, with a home seen near the flames.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr., The Arizona Republic, 16 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for illumination 
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Hannah Poukish, Sacramento Bee, 31 Jan. 2025
But the moon will also appear extra bright for about three days around the time of its peak illumination, from Sunday evening into Wednesday morning.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
The moon is currently in its waning crescent phase, at 11% illumination, according to Space.com.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 27 Dec. 2024
Another showed the dull illumination of the fire overnight, with a home seen near the flames.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr., The Arizona Republic, 16 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for illumination
Articles Related to illumination
Dictionary Entries Near illumination
Cite this Entry
“Illumination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illumination. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
illumination
noun
il·lu·mi·na·tion
il-ˌü-mə-ˈnā-shən
1
a
: the action of illuminating or state of being illuminated
b
: amount of light
2
: gold or colored decoration in a manuscript
Medical Definition
illumination
noun
il·lu·mi·na·tion
il-ˌü-mə-ˈnā-shən
1
: the action of supplying or brightening with light or the resulting state
2
: the luminous flux per unit area on an intercepting surface at any given point
called also illuminance
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