illustrate
verb
il·lus·trate
ˈi-lə-ˌstrāt 
also i-ˈlə-
illustrated; illustrating
1
a
: to provide with visual features intended to explain or decorate
illustrate a book
b
: to make clear by giving or by serving as an example or instance
c
: to make clear : clarify
2
: to show clearly : demonstrate
3
4
: to give an example or instance
Examples of illustrate in a Sentence
He illustrated his lecture with stories of his own experiences in the field.
Please give a few examples to illustrate your point.
The results illustrate how important it is to wear your seatbelt.
The students will write and illustrate their own stories.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Gulf’s swelling economic and diplomatic clout has corresponded with interests replacing ideology as the chief driver of foreign policy, as illustrated by the remarkable (though ultimately aborted) negotiations toward the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
—
Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 May 2025
When Preparation Meets Opportunity To illustrate what success looks like, Kurtz pointed to Adam Zoller, CISO of CrowdStrike, who now sits on the board of AdventHealth.
—Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
Lepper says those unusual raw materials include conch shells from the Gulf Coast, copper from southern Canada and obsidian from Obsidian Cliff in Yellowstone Park, illustrating the extent of the Hopewell culture’s influence.
—Kevin Williams, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 May 2025
The episode, which sent shock waves through the global economy, illustrated a broader pattern in which the president has rushed to implement unconventional or extreme policies also outlined in Project 2025.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
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Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 May 2025
When Preparation Meets Opportunity To illustrate what success looks like, Kurtz pointed to Adam Zoller, CISO of CrowdStrike, who now sits on the board of AdventHealth.
—Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
Lepper says those unusual raw materials include conch shells from the Gulf Coast, copper from southern Canada and obsidian from Obsidian Cliff in Yellowstone Park, illustrating the extent of the Hopewell culture’s influence.
—Kevin Williams, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 May 2025
The episode, which sent shock waves through the global economy, illustrated a broader pattern in which the president has rushed to implement unconventional or extreme policies also outlined in Project 2025.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
Cite this Entry
“Illustrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illustrate. Accessed 14 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
illustrate
verb
il·lus·trate
ˈil-əs-ˌtrāt
il-ˈəs-
illustrated; illustrating
1
: to make clear by using examples
illustrated his point with a personal experience
2
a
: to provide with pictures or diagrams intended to explain or decorate
illustrate a book
b
: to serve as an illustration
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