reincarnation

noun

re·​in·​car·​na·​tion ˌrē-(ˌ)in-(ˌ)kär-ˈnā-shən 

1

a

: the action of reincarnating : the state of being reincarnated

b

: rebirth in new bodies or forms of life

especially : a rebirth of a soul in a new human body

2

: a fresh embodiment

Examples of reincarnation in a Sentence

Many people believe in reincarnation.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adapted from a Japanese novel, the unusual story revolves around a spirit responsible for guiding transient souls to their next reincarnation, who embarks on a perilous mission with a young girl to prevent her being overwhelmed by her anger and transforming into a monster. —Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 21 Mar. 2026

This manifests in the form of rituals that are often more private and secretive than those of mainstream Shi’a Islam, scriptures in addition to the Quran, and the belief in tajyeel—reincarnation. —Literary Hub, 4 Mar. 2026

The city’s Forest Theater, its iconic green-white-and-red spire soaring into the sky, has stood vacant since 2009, but it is poised for its latest reincarnation later this year. —Uwa Ede-Osifo, Dallas Morning News, 14 Feb. 2026

Rebirth in the hells is one possible form of reincarnation in Buddhism, which teaches that the quality of people’s karma in their present life determines where they are reborn in their next life. —Megan Bryson, The Conversation, 5 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for reincarnation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

reincarnation

noun

re·​in·​car·​na·​tion (ˌ)rē-ˌin-ˌkär-ˈnā-shən 

1

: the action of reincarnating : the state of being reincarnated

2

: rebirth in new bodies or forms of life

especially : a rebirth of a soul in a new human body