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
However, as one family’s experience illustrates, the story of the Great Wealth Transfer is far more complex.
—
Joseph Coughlin, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
To illustrate the scale of this complexity, Lin explains that there can be seemingly endless ticket combinations for trips between Los Angeles and London.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 1 June 2025
Here’s a brief history of veterans’ campaigns that illustrates how veterans developed their political clout and effectively advocated to protect themselves, and many others, from harmful federal policies.
—Jamie Rowen, The Conversation, 30 May 2025
In March, American Compass, a conservative think tank, and YouGov conducted a survey that illustrated this fact.
—Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
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Joseph Coughlin, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
To illustrate the scale of this complexity, Lin explains that there can be seemingly endless ticket combinations for trips between Los Angeles and London.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 1 June 2025
Here’s a brief history of veterans’ campaigns that illustrates how veterans developed their political clout and effectively advocated to protect themselves, and many others, from harmful federal policies.
—Jamie Rowen, The Conversation, 30 May 2025
In March, American Compass, a conservative think tank, and YouGov conducted a survey that illustrated this fact.
—Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 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 5 Jun. 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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