illustration

[il-uh-strey-shuhn]

noun

1. something that illustrates, as a picture in a book or magazine.

2. a comparison or an example intended for explanation or corroboration.

   Synonyms: explication

3. the act or process of illuminating.

4. the act of clarifying or explaining; elucidation.

5. Archaic.,  illustriousness; distinction.

illustration

/ ˌɪləˈstreɪʃən /

noun

1. pictorial matter used to explain or decorate a text

2. an example or demonstration

   an illustration of his ability

3. the act of illustrating or the state of being illustrated

Other Word Forms

• nonillustration noun
• overillustration noun
• preillustration noun
• reillustration noun
• superillustration noun
• illustrational adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of illustration¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Latin illustrātiōn- (stem of illustrātiō ) “the act of making vivid, illustrating”; illustrate, -ion

Synonym Study

See case ¹.

Example Sentences

Many were from nurses and doctors in Covid wards, and teachers without pupils, who would print out his illustrations as a way of encouraging others.

Read more on BBC

Stringer said he’s always had a handle on his illustration style — quaint, witty and a bit kitschy — but the distinctive look that his ceramics share also developed out of necessity.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"But this is an illustration that some of these impacts are becoming global."

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“It’s just been a long time since we last witnessed such a great illustration of the metaphor,” Shenderovich claimed at the time.

Read more on Salon

In another, an illustration of a man and woman appears with a Kashmiri translation of Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights playing in the background.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• cartoon 
• decoration 
• depiction 
• engraving 
• etching 
• image 
• painting 
• photo 
• photograph 
• picture 
• sketch 
• snapshot 
• vignette