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

Maternal mortality is a barometer of weathering’s contribution to excess deaths, as the physical stress of pregnancy is harder to withstand for a weathered body, while other manifestations of weathering often become life-threatening only after the reproductive ages. —Arline Geronimus, WIRED, 19 Jan. 2024

Jail staff with limited medical training may interpret signs of medical distress as manifestations of mental illness and fail to call for additional care. —Isabelle Taft, ProPublica, 16 Jan. 2024

About 66 to 94% of women report sleep disturbances during pregnancy, one manifestation of which is insomnia or sleep deficiency; another common complaint is an inadequate amount of sleep, with regular sleep outside pregnancy being 7-9 hours of sleep a night. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 11 Jan. 2024

If snow buntings and other marvels of nature are seen as manifestations of an over-arching natural order, then protecting these and other birds and creatures may be seen as honoring the sacred. —Richard B. Karel, Baltimore Sun, 5 Jan. 2024

The severity and manifestations of dyslexia can vary from person to person, but children with the learning disability benefit most from early help with explications of the sound structures underlying words. —Sarah Carr, Scientific American, 16 Nov. 2023

The downgrade was a manifestation of deeper investor unease with the company’s prospects. —Byalexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 3 Jan. 2024

Orbs Anthony Naples built his reputation on bruising, distorted club tracks, but Orbs is the latest and most accomplished manifestation of the NYC musician’s drift toward placid atmospheric sounds. —Pitchfork, 7 Dec. 2023

The special treatment for the abducted Russians is a new manifestation of the growing alignment between the Kremlin and Hamas. —Francesca Ebel, Washington Post, 2 Dec. 2023

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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