luminary
noun
lu·mi·nary
ˈlü-mə-ˌner-ē 
plural luminaries
1
: a person of prominence or brilliant achievement
a literary luminary
a luminary in the medical profession
2
: a body that gives light
especially
: one of the celestial bodies (such as a star)
skywatchers … will see one more bright luminary below Orion and Canis Major —
Martin Ratcliffe
Martin Ratcliffe
luminary
adjective
Did you know?
As, dare we say, leading lights of the dictionary game, we're here to brighten your day with the 411 on luminary. This word has been casting its glow in English since the 15th century, and it traces back to the Latin word lumen, meaning "light." Other lumen descendants in English include illuminate ("to light up"), luminous ("emitting light"), phillumenist ("one who collects matchbooks or matchbox labels"), and bioluminescence ("the emission of light from living organisms").
Examples of luminary in a Sentence
luminaries of the art world
awed by the vast number of luminaries in the night sky
Recent Examples on the Web
The film, which includes interviews with King, her wife Ilana Kloss, tennis luminaries including Chris Evert, and King’s friend Elton John, debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in January.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 10 June 2026
When the national anthem played just before tip-off, the jumbotron inside the arena flashed to the president, standing in his suite alongside MAGA luminaries including Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, and Dan Scavino.
—Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 9 June 2026
Some of the game’s luminaries, such as Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, and Coco Gauff, have backed Sabalenka’s stance.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 9 June 2026
Science luminaries including Albert Einstein, Edwin Hubble and Carl Sagan once peered through the vintage telescopes housed in the domed observatory towers.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for luminary
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Addie Morfoot, Variety, 10 June 2026
When the national anthem played just before tip-off, the jumbotron inside the arena flashed to the president, standing in his suite alongside MAGA luminaries including Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, and Dan Scavino.
—Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 9 June 2026
Some of the game’s luminaries, such as Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, and Coco Gauff, have backed Sabalenka’s stance.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 9 June 2026
Science luminaries including Albert Einstein, Edwin Hubble and Carl Sagan once peered through the vintage telescopes housed in the domed observatory towers.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for luminary
Cite this Entry
“Luminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/luminary. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
luminary
noun
lu·mi·nary
ˈlü-mə-ˌner-ē
plural luminaries
1
: a very famous person
2
: a source of light
especially
: one of the heavenly bodies
luminary
adjective
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