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

Composed of seven colors, rainbows are a manifestation in the human eye of light that is always around us. — Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026

Artificial intelligence is the latest and most visible manifestation of this development, but the pattern predates AI. — Alonzo Martinez, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

In many ways, staffers say, the shooting was a manifestation of an attack the agency was already feeling. — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026

On her 2006 Blogger profile, Didulo listed The Secret, about the power of manifestation, as her favorite movie and Trump’s The Art of the Deal as one of her favorite books. — Zander Sherman, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 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