manifestation

noun

man·​i·​fes·​ta·​tion ˌma-nə-fə-ˈstā-shən 

-ˌfe-ˈstā-

1

a

: the act, process, or an instance of manifesting

demanded some manifestation of repentance

b(1)

: something that manifests or is manifest

(2)

: a perceptible, outward, or visible expression

external manifestations of gender

c

: one of the forms in which an individual is manifested

Hate in all its manifestations is wrong.

d

: an occult phenomenon

specifically : materialization

2

: a public demonstration of power and purpose

… a large manifestation has closed the highway, the elated crowd … chanting …

—Bob Shacochis

Synonyms of manifestation

• incarnation
• image
• avatar
• icon
• essence
• personification
• incorporation
• externalization
• abstract

Examples of manifestation in a Sentence

a portrait of a mother and child that is regarded as the very manifestation of maternal love

Recent Examples on the Web

In the face of shooting and shooting-up deaths, if permanent gates — which are, after all, only a physical manifestation of the existing curfew — will deter mischief and malfeasance post-midnight, then my vote is to lock it up. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 8 May 2026

Examples include his pioneering insights on the dispersal of seeds, his anticipation of Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection and his study of the seasonal manifestations of natural phenomena, such as plants’ flowering times and bird migrations. —Robert M. Thorson, The Conversation, 8 May 2026

The film is leading towards the strange manifestation of a memory. —Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026

So much so that Walsh has written about spirituality, manifestation, and the shadow—Carl Jung’s concept that acknowledges the hidden aspects of ourselves that our conscious selves don’t always recognize. —José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 7 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for manifestation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

manifestation

noun

man·​i·​fes·​ta·​tion ˌman-ə-fə-ˈstā-shən 

-ˌfes-ˈtā-

1

a

: the act or an instance of manifesting : expression

b

: something that manifests : evidence

2

: a public demonstration of power and purpose

Medical Definition

manifestation

noun

man·​i·​fes·​ta·​tion ˌman-ə-fə-ˈstā-shən, -ˌfes- 

: a perceptible, outward, or visible expression (as of a disease or abnormal condition)

the manifestations of shock