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
As the graphic above illustrates, Galatasaray’s Napoli loanee can find space to shoot, even with limited service.
—
Ali Rampling, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Her own work has illustrated how different brain regions activate when processing English or Chinese sentences because of their differing linguistic properties.
—Gayoung Lee, Scientific American, 14 Apr. 2025
By directly noting the deference owed to the Executive Branch, this ruling once again illustrates that activist judges do not have the jurisdiction to seize control of the President's authority to conduct foreign policy.
—Laura Romero, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2025
The story is faithful to the original, but the author adds whimsy by illustrating metaphors in literal ways, such as depicting Daisy and Jordan floating about the parlor on a hot summer day.
—Danielle Teller, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illustrate
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Ali Rampling, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Her own work has illustrated how different brain regions activate when processing English or Chinese sentences because of their differing linguistic properties.
—Gayoung Lee, Scientific American, 14 Apr. 2025
By directly noting the deference owed to the Executive Branch, this ruling once again illustrates that activist judges do not have the jurisdiction to seize control of the President's authority to conduct foreign policy.
—Laura Romero, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2025
The story is faithful to the original, but the author adds whimsy by illustrating metaphors in literal ways, such as depicting Daisy and Jordan floating about the parlor on a hot summer day.
—Danielle Teller, People.com, 10 Apr. 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 19 Apr. 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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