incarnation

noun

in·​car·​na·​tion ˌin-(ˌ)kär-ˈnā-shən 

1

: the act of incarnating : the state of being incarnate

2

: a particular physical form or state : version

in another incarnation he might be a first vice-president

—Walter Teller

TV and movie incarnations of the story

3

a

: a concrete or actual form of a quality or concept

especially : a person showing a trait or typical character to a marked degree

she is the incarnation of goodness

b(1)

capitalized : the union of divinity with humanity in Jesus Christ

(2)

: the embodiment of a deity or spirit in some earthly form

incarnational

ˌin-(ˌ)kär-ˈnā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• abstract
• avatar
• embodier
• embodiment
• epitome
• externalization
• genius
• icon
• ikon
• image
• incorporation
• instantiation
• manifestation
• objectification
• personification
• personifier

Examples of incarnation in a Sentence

the doctrine of the Incarnation

she is the very incarnation of grace and tactfulness

Recent Examples on the Web

This latest incarnation prescribes a state statute that would govern the development of the legal market, rather than a constitutional amendment. —Zack Huffman, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso, and Jey Uso have reformed as the original incarnation of the Bloodline, but the team-up came under one condition: the former Undisputed WWE Universal Championship has to treat his cousins as equals. —David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Nov. 2024

The Presley story here is a lot more interesting, and Spacey mostly seems to be doing an impersonation rather than an incarnation. —Will Leitch, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2024

From the time of the Dead’s earliest incarnation as the Warlocks, Lesh enjoyed an intimate three-decade-long partnership with lead guitarist Jerry Garcia. —Richard Gehr, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3b(2)

Kids Definition

incarnation

noun

in·​car·​na·​tion ˌin-ˌkär-ˈnā-shən 

1

: the appearance of a god or spirit in an earthly form

2

capitalized : the union of divine and human natures in Jesus Christ

3

: an actual instance of a quality or concept

she was the incarnation of goodness