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

• manifestation
• image
• avatar

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

In one incarnation, this is a tall, pivoting indoor fan. —Simon Hill, Wired News, 12 July 2025

The Pistols never rose out of the clubs during their original incarnation and lived off near-starvation wages doled out to them every week by McLaren. —Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 12 July 2025

Despite later becoming a pet for Superboy, the two never really vibe, and any attempts to install this incarnation as a mainstay fall flat. —Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 11 July 2025

Since then, there have been numerous incarnations of the Man of Steel, including many movie adaptations. —Rod Pocowatchit, Miami Herald, 11 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for incarnation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

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