illustration
noun
il·lus·tra·tion
ˌi-lə-ˈstrā-shən 
also i-ˌlə-
1
: something that serves to illustrate: such as
a
: a picture or diagram that helps make something clear or attractive
b
: an example or instance that helps make something clear
2
a
: the action of illustrating : the condition of being illustrated
b
archaic
: the action of making illustrious or honored or distinguished
Examples of illustration in a Sentence
The illustration on page 30 shows the parts of an engine.
a book with many photographs and illustrations
The illustrations that he provided in his speech were very effective.
They selected photographs to use for the illustration of the book.
Illustration is the key to good communication.
Recent Examples on the Web
This deceptive game is the perfect illustration of modern marketing.
—
Drew Gerber, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Among the handouts was a bookmark with an illustration of a voting booth and two children outside.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024
But Posada’s illustrations at the time existed separately from the altar remembrances of the dead practiced among rural Indigenous populations in the country’s southern and central regions.
—Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024
An avid artist from an early age, Burton’s uncanny style of drawing is inspired by these films — along with gothic novels, expressionist paintings, holiday rituals and even the illustrations of Dr Seuss.
—Tacita Quinn, CNN, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for illustration 
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Drew Gerber, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Among the handouts was a bookmark with an illustration of a voting booth and two children outside.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024
But Posada’s illustrations at the time existed separately from the altar remembrances of the dead practiced among rural Indigenous populations in the country’s southern and central regions.
—Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024
An avid artist from an early age, Burton’s uncanny style of drawing is inspired by these films — along with gothic novels, expressionist paintings, holiday rituals and even the illustrations of Dr Seuss.
—Tacita Quinn, CNN, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for illustration
Dictionary Entries Near illustration
Cite this Entry
“Illustration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illustration. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
illustration
noun
il·lus·tra·tion
ˌil-əs-ˈtrā-shən
1
: the action of illustrating : the condition of being illustrated
2
: an example or instance used to make something clear
3
: a picture or diagram that explains or decorates
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