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

The game follows the early years of Basim Ibn Ishaq, an Assassin who is later revealed to be a human incarnation of Loki. —Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025

But this incarnation of Section 31 was even more sinister than the standard variety, having been taken over by a megalomaniac AI known as Control. —Richard Edwards, Space.com, 24 Jan. 2025

Scott Derrickson most recently attaching to direct a prior incarnation from a script by Maggie Levin. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2025

In the following years he was considered as Def Leppard’s replacement for the late guitarist Steve Clark (although the role went to Vivian Campbell, who ironically had replaced him in Whitesnake) before pursuing a solo career and fronting a Lynott-less incarnation of Thin Lizzy for several years. —Jem Aswad, Variety, 20 Jan. 2025

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