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
Walter TellerTV 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)
Incarnation
: the union of divinity with humanity in Jesus Christ
(2)
: the embodiment of a deity or spirit in some earthly form
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
Benjamin Netanyahu appears to see himself as the modern-day incarnation of Winston Churchill, standing as the international bulwark against Iran as the British leader once stood against Nazi Germany.
—Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
Advertisement Gyllenhaal’s debut picture, 2021’s Elena Ferrante adaptation The Lost Daughter—with Olivia Colman as a prickly academic on holiday, played, in her younger incarnation, by Buckley—was similarly ambitious, but its urgent, freewheeling sense of discovery worked in its favor.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 4 Mar. 2026
King has been with CBS’ morning show since 2012, under its previous incarnation as CBS This Morning.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2026
Elaine Lewis, who served on the previous incarnation of the Center’s senior advisory committee for nine years before it was disbanded last year, said going public with the letter revealed that a growing number of people want clarity.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incarnation
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Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
Advertisement Gyllenhaal’s debut picture, 2021’s Elena Ferrante adaptation The Lost Daughter—with Olivia Colman as a prickly academic on holiday, played, in her younger incarnation, by Buckley—was similarly ambitious, but its urgent, freewheeling sense of discovery worked in its favor.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 4 Mar. 2026
King has been with CBS’ morning show since 2012, under its previous incarnation as CBS This Morning.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2026
Elaine Lewis, who served on the previous incarnation of the Center’s senior advisory committee for nine years before it was disbanded last year, said going public with the letter revealed that a growing number of people want clarity.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incarnation
Cite this Entry
“Incarnation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incarnation. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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