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

Tonight’s appearance marked Dylan’s first at Farm Aid since its debut 1985 incarnation in Champaign, Ill. —Jonathan Cohen, Spin, 24 Sep. 2023

Two seasons when the league championship was won by the Birmingham Stallions, a re-homage to the Stallions of the infant USFL, which did not survive but was reborn in this new incarnation. —Roy S. Johnson | [e-mail], al, 19 Sep. 2023

The latest incarnation has no actors attached or script, with a writer to be hired after the WGA strike concludes. —Aaron Couch, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Sep. 2023

The Breakers finally folded in 2017, yet that incarnation of the team included five players who were still going strong at this past World Cup. —Frank Dell'apa, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Sep. 2023

As Blue Beetle, Jaime is the third incarnation of the character. —Kaely Monahan, The Arizona Republic, 16 Aug. 2023

The metaverse is either the next incarnation of the internet or just an ingeniously vague label for a bunch of overhyped things that will mostly fail. —Amy Dickinson, Anchorage Daily News, 13 Aug. 2023

The new incarnation of Farm, inspired by Bianco’s Tratto in Phoenix and also by the lushness of the Napa Valley, will open this fall. —Andy Wang, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2023

There’s no doubt that antitrust enforcement will play a huge role in shaping the tech sector’s incoming incarnation. —Bydavid Meyer, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2023

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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