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)

Incarnation : 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 of incarnation

• 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

On July 8, 1997, in an 18th-floor ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, MLS launched the Miami Fusion, the first incarnation of a South Florida team. —Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026

The three members disagree over whether this incarnation of Sublime will record again. —Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026

Tina Fey, so instrumental in SNL‘s modern era, was drafted in to add some gravitas to the UK incarnation, with Wet Leg the musical guest. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 22 Mar. 2026

Each incarnation of Meow Wolf is unique (there are others in Denver and Santa Fe), and the Omega Mart in Las Vegas is a world unto itself. —Mindy Sink, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026

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