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
Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 18 Jan. 2025
The windows are illuminated at night and the walls around them are surrounded by elaborate relief designs which are common on art deco buildings.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
Private School Demographics This pointed us to illuminating stories about the effects of segregation academies in communities that weren’t on anyone’s radar, certainly not mine.
—Jennifer Berry Hawes, ProPublica, 18 Jan. 2025
In the photo from the space station, the comet is captured just above Earth’s horizon, which is illuminated by a bright light — also known as airglow — that occurs in the planet’s upper atmosphere when atoms and molecules emit light after being excited by sunlight.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for illuminate 
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Verb
Kansas City landmarks glow red for the Chiefs Downtown Kansas City landmarks — including Union Station, the Kauffman Center and the Kansas City Marriott Downtown hotel — have been illuminated with red lights during the winter to cheer on the Chiefs after major wins.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 18 Jan. 2025
The windows are illuminated at night and the walls around them are surrounded by elaborate relief designs which are common on art deco buildings.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
Private School Demographics This pointed us to illuminating stories about the effects of segregation academies in communities that weren’t on anyone’s radar, certainly not mine.
—Jennifer Berry Hawes, ProPublica, 18 Jan. 2025
In the photo from the space station, the comet is captured just above Earth’s horizon, which is illuminated by a bright light — also known as airglow — that occurs in the planet’s upper atmosphere when atoms and molecules emit light after being excited by sunlight.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for illuminate
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Cite this Entry
“Illuminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illuminate. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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