illustration
Americannoun
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something that illustrates, as a picture in a book or magazine.
-
a comparison or an example intended for explanation or corroboration.
- Synonyms:
- explication
-
the act or process of illuminating.
-
the act of clarifying or explaining; elucidation.
-
Archaic. illustriousness; distinction.
noun
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pictorial matter used to explain or decorate a text
-
an example or demonstration
an illustration of his ability
-
the act of illustrating or the state of being illustrated
Related Words
See case 1.
Other Word Forms
- illustrational adjective
- nonillustration noun
- overillustration noun
- preillustration noun
- reillustration noun
- superillustration noun
Etymology
Origin of illustration
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Latin illustrātiōn- (stem of illustrātiō ) “the act of making vivid, illustrating”; illustrate, -ion
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But, as an illustration, BBC Sport can suggest how it could work from one weekend in January.
From BBC
But they are nonetheless an illustration of how Iran has been able to move money internationally for years despite Western sanctions aimed at choking off the regime’s ability to do so.
Top image shows a digital illustration of the surface of Mars.
From BBC
The illuminated manuscript depicting the four Gospels of the Christian New Testament has been described as "the work of angels" due to the complexity of its lettering and illustrations.
From BBC
Perhaps the most striking illustration of the transformation of Germany's role in Europe is the attitude of its neighbours.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
