Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for March 5, 2024 is: luminary \LOO-muh-nair-ee\ noun

A luminary is a person of prominence or brilliant achievement. The word luminary may also refer to a [celestial body](https://bit.ly/3vSqEDw), such as the sun or moon.

// Luminaries of the art world congregated at the international convention.

[See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/luminary)

Examples:

"The upcoming documentary will dive deep into the lives of the next generation of basketball luminaries, Jonquel Jones, Nneka Ogwumike, and Breanna Stewart, as well as WNBA legend, [Sheryl Swoopes](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sheryl-Swoopes)." — Okla Jones, Essence, 18 Dec. 2023

Did you know?

As, dare we say, [leading lights](https://bit.ly/483XsH4) of the dictionary game, we're here to brighten your day with the [411](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/411) on luminary. This word has been casting its glow in English since the 15th century, and it traces back to the Latin word lumen, meaning "light." Other lumen descendants in English include [illuminate](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illuminate) ("to light up"), [luminous](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/luminous) ("emitting light"), [phillumenist](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phillumenist) ("one who collects matchbooks or matchbox labels"), and [bioluminescence](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bioluminescence) ("the emission of light from living organisms").