illustration

/ˈɪləˌstreɪʃən/

/ɪləˈstreɪʃən/

Other forms: illustrations

When the written instructions get tough, look for an illustration — a picture — to figure out what to do. Assembling furniture? Numbered diagrams and other illustrations can help you avoid the dreaded pile of "leftover" pieces.

An illustration can also be a helpful example that isn't visual at all. A coworker who comes to work with a terrible cold and gives it to the whole office is an illustration of what happens when a boss discourages the use of sick days. You hope that the boss isn't an illustration of management at that company! If so, maybe these workers do need a visual: an illustration that shows hand-washing techniques and other ways to avoid germs.

Definitions of illustration

1. noun

   a visual representation (a picture or diagram) that is used make some subject more pleasing or easier to understand
   types:

   plate

   a full-page illustration (usually on slick paper)

   fashion plate

   a plate illustrating the latest fashion in dress

   type of:

   representation

   a creation that is a visual or tangible rendering of someone or something
2. noun

   artwork that helps make something clear or attractive
   types:

   pictorial matter, picture

   illustrations used to decorate or explain a text

   fig, figure

   a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

   type of:

   art, artwork, graphics, nontextual matter

   photographs or other visual representations in a printed publication
3. noun

   showing by example
   synonyms: exemplification

   type of:

   demo, demonstration

   a visual presentation showing how something works
4. noun

   an item of information that is typical of a class or group
   synonyms: example, instance, representative

   types:

   apology, excuse

   a poor example

   exception, outlier

   an instance that does not conform to a rule or generalization

   case in point, precedent

   an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time

   quintessence

   the most typical example or representative of a type

   sample

   a small part of something intended as representative of the whole

   specimen

   an example regarded as typical of its class

   coupon

   a test sample of some substance

   cross section

   a sample meant to be representative of a whole population

   grab sample

   a single sample or measurement taken at a specific time or over as short a period as feasible

   random sample

   a sample grabbed at random

   tasting

   a small amount (especially of food or wine)

   type of:

   information

   knowledge acquired through study or experience or instruction