英汉词典

1. 照亮;照明;照射
    To illuminate something means to shine light on it and to make it brighter and more visible.

illuminate什么意思

    e.g. No streetlights illuminated the street...
           这条街上没有照明的路灯。
    e.g. The black sky was illuminated by forked lightning.
           叉状的闪电照亮了黑沉沉的天空。

2. 阐释;说明
    If you illuminate something that is unclear or difficult to understand, you make it clearer by explaining it carefully or giving information about it.

    e.g. They use games and drawings to illuminate their subject.
           他们用游戏和图画来阐明他们的主题。