illustration

American  

[il-uh-strey-shuhn] / ˌɪl əˈstreɪ ʃən /

noun

illustrations plural

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.

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illustration British  

/ 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

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Synonym Usage

See case ¹.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• illustrations
  plural

Etymology

Origin of illustration

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

Explanation

When the written instructions get tough, look for an illustration — a picture — to figure out what to do. Assembling furniture? Numbered diagrams and other illustrations can help you avoid the dreaded pile of "leftover" pieces. An illustration can also be a helpful example that isn't visual at all. A coworker who comes to work with a terrible cold and gives it to the whole office is an illustration of what happens when a boss discourages the use of sick days. You hope that the boss isn't an illustration of management at that company! If so, maybe these workers do need a visual: an illustration that shows hand-washing techniques and other ways to avoid germs.

Example Sentences

As Supreme Court justices prepare their ruling, Americans got a vivid illustration of the policy at work in the form of star US striker Folarin Balogun, who scored twice in the 4-1 rout over Paraguay.

From Barron's • Jun. 18, 2026

An illustration shows a Buster Keaton-eyed puffin with a beakful of sardines or sprats.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026

But this is only a memory — a child’s version of an experience, filmed with all of the bright colors and simple setups of an illustration in a storybook.

From Salon • Jun. 2, 2026

Traditionally, storyboarding is done by hand or digital illustration through a collaboration between directors and storyboard artists.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2026

“She wanted to leave right then, so I quickly got dressed and followed her out,” May said, glancing at the illustration forming on the page.

From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley

Related Words

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