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)

capitalized : 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

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

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

In the bill’s next incarnation, Umberg plans to dive heavy into the data. —Teri Sforza, Orange County Register, 28 May 2024

Last year, Bumbershoot’s first incarnation since 2018 was headlined by a number of beloved artists reared in the Pacific Northwest, including Sleater-Kinney, Sunny Day Real Estate, and Band of Horses. —Spin Staff, SPIN, 21 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3b(2)

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