1. The quality or amount of light; the effect and arrangement of lights
   "The museum's illumination enhanced the artwork's details";
   - light, lighting
    
2. The luminous flux incident on a unit area
   "The illumination of the room changed as clouds passed over the sun";
   - illuminance
    
3. The degree of visibility of your environment
   "The illumination in the room was poor, making it difficult to read"
    
4. An interpretation that removes obstacles to understanding
   "the professor's illumination helped her to understand the textbook";
   - clarification, elucidation, éclaircissement [literary]
    
5. (Middle Ages) painting or drawing included in a book (especially in illuminated medieval manuscripts)
   "The manuscript was adorned with beautiful illuminations depicting scenes from the Bible";
   - miniature
    
6. A condition of spiritual awareness; divine illumination
   "follow God's illumination";
   - light

Derived forms: illuminations

Type of: brightness, brightness level, condition, interpretation, light, luminance, luminosity, luminousness, painting, picture, state, status

Encyclopedia: Illumination