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

meetings, parades, and other such manifestations

—H. M. Parshley

Synonyms

• abstract
• avatar
• embodier
• embodiment
• epitome
• externalization
• genius
• icon
• ikon
• image
• incarnation
• incorporation
• instantiation
• objectification
• personification
• personifier

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

Hysteria and another project called Dying Inside based on the poetry of Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz due out September 24, are the first manifestations of the company’s strategy to crosspollinate music and comics. —Rob Salkowitz, Forbes, 6 Sep. 2024

Some have religious motifs, a reminder, to believers, that nature is a manifestation of God. —Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 2 Sep. 2024

Late-night skirmishes between protesters and the authorities Sunday on Tel Aviv’s usually hyper-busy eight-lane Ayalon Highway were a manifestation of that. —Nic Robertson, CNN, 2 Sep. 2024

Therefore, many believe that a karmic relationship is the manifestation of unfinished business from a past life—two souls who meet again to bring closure to what was previously left undone. —Christina Pérez, Vogue, 13 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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