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

But the kinks were worked out on set, with digital 3D production also introduced in its early incarnations. —Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Dec. 2024

People began to talk online via Reddit and Facebook about the pants-wetting anticipation associated with waiting—sometimes for months on end—for the latest incarnation of the X-Mid to drop. —M. John Fayhee, Outside Online, 28 Nov. 2024

Trump, for his part, spent the last few weeks unveiling a series of Cabinet picks that included some notable Russia skeptics, at least in their previous incarnations. —Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024

Willett has been around since the 1930s, but has gone through various incarnations over the years. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 20 Nov. 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