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 its new incarnation, the far right began to resemble the old far left. —Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2025

The previous cinematic incarnation of Luthor, played by Jesse Eisenberg in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, took inspiration from tech billionaires such as Mark Zuckerberg. —Christian Holub, EW.com, 30 Dec. 2024

The Tourbillon Souverain’s most appealing incarnation may well be the Souscription model with the yellow-gold dial plate. —Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 26 Dec. 2024

Although the earliest incarnation of Neanderthals continue to stir debates, fossil evidence scattered across Europe and Asia has shaped an increasingly coherent map showing where the prehistoric hominins called home. —Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 9 Dec. 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