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 match dashboard below illustrates their dominance.
—
Beren Cross, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025
However, leaving it on while connected to an open network could expose it to security vulnerabilities, as illustrated by this viral Reddit post.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025
See Robin Williams unusual approach when visiting Christopher Reeve in hospital
01:07
CNN —
While a lot has been said about the friendship between Robin Williams and Christopher Reeve, the famed pair’s bond illustrates a very basic and instrumental type of kindness, according to Reeve’s daughter.
—Dan Heching, CNN, 1 Feb. 2025
The ambivalence of the troubled poet watching an armored column pass over fresh graves is illustrated by a later, lighter anecdote.
—Robert Pinsky, The New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for illustrate 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Beren Cross, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025
However, leaving it on while connected to an open network could expose it to security vulnerabilities, as illustrated by this viral Reddit post.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025
See Robin Williams unusual approach when visiting Christopher Reeve in hospital
01:07
CNN —
While a lot has been said about the friendship between Robin Williams and Christopher Reeve, the famed pair’s bond illustrates a very basic and instrumental type of kindness, according to Reeve’s daughter.
—Dan Heching, CNN, 1 Feb. 2025
The ambivalence of the troubled poet watching an armored column pass over fresh graves is illustrated by a later, lighter anecdote.
—Robert Pinsky, The New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for illustrate
Dictionary Entries Near illustrate
Cite this Entry
“Illustrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illustrate. Accessed 6 Feb. 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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