luminary

[loo-muh-ner-ee]

noun

plural

luminaries 

1. a celestial body, such as the sun or moon.

2. a body, object, etc., that gives light.

3. a person who has attained eminence in their field or is an inspiration to others.

   The book was written by one of the luminaries in the field of medical science.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characterized by light.

luminary

/ ˈluːmɪnərɪ /

noun

1. a person who enlightens or influences others

2. a famous person

3. literary,  something, such as the sun or moon, that gives off light

adjective

1. of, involving, or characterized by light or enlightenment

Word History and Origins

Origin of luminary¹

First recorded in 1450–1500; late Middle English luminarye, from Medieval Latin lūmināria “lamp”; luminaria

Word History and Origins

Origin of luminary¹

C15: via Old French, from Latin lūmināre lamp, from lūmen light

Example Sentences

Retired tech titans and social media luminaries can no more control the development of AI by banning it than the Catholic Church could undo the fact that Earth revolves around the sun by imprisoning Galileo.

Read more on Barron's

Another Greek shipping magnate, Aristotle Onassis, once said that his yacht, the 325-foot Christina O—which hosted luminaries including Winston Churchill and John F. Kennedy—was “the best office in the world.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

This is the better-than-ten-bagger bet that AI luminaries talk up as they set out plans for trillions of dollars to be sunk into data centers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Paramount on Friday sharply denounced a proposed boycott of Israel’s film industry made by a loose-knit group that calls itself Film Workers for Palestine and includes dozens of Hollywood luminaries.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

She later enrolled at the People’s College of Law, an unaccredited law school in downtown, where she rubbed shoulders with other Latino political luminaries such as Gil Cedillo and future L.A.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• celebrity 
• dignitary 
• notable 
• personage 
• superstar