illustration

noun

il·​lus·​tra·​tion ˌi-lə-ˈstrā-shən How to pronounce illustration (audio)
also i-ˌlə-
Synonyms of illustrationnext
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
illustrational
ˌi-lə-ˈstrā-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce illustration (audio)
also i-ˌlə-
adjective

Synonyms of illustration

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instance, case, illustration, example, sample, specimen mean something that exhibits distinguishing characteristics in its category.

instance applies to any individual person, act, or thing that may be offered to illustrate or explain.

an instance of history repeating itself

case is used to direct attention to a real or assumed occurrence or situation that is to be considered, studied, or dealt with.

a case of mistaken identity

illustration applies to an instance offered as a means of clarifying or illuminating a general statement.

a telling illustration of Murphy's Law

example applies to a typical, representative, or illustrative instance or case.

a typical example of bureaucratic waste

sample implies a part or unit taken at random from a larger whole and so presumed to be typical of its qualities.

show us a sample of your work

specimen applies to any example or sample whether representative or merely existent and available.

one of the finest specimens of the jeweler's art

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Her work combines music, illustration, animation and fashion. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2026 But the Iran example – and particularly the ongoing episodic closures of the Strait of Hormuz – is one of the best illustrations today of how merely invoking credibility to act is not the same as having an overall endgame strategy. — Christopher Nichols, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026 Getting answers requires hunting for clues scattered throughout the text; for example, looking for differences in images on the book’s website and illustrations in the book, or using certain page numbers as map coordinates. — Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026 In this photo illustration, the DraftKings logo is seen displayed on a smartphone screen. — CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for illustration

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of illustration was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing illustration

Rhymes for illustration

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Browse Nearby Words

illustrate
illustration
illustrational
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Cite this Entry

“Illustration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illustration. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

illustration

noun
il·​lus·​tra·​tion ˌil-əs-ˈtrā-shən How to pronounce illustration (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on illustration

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about illustration

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