incarnation

noun

in·​car·​na·​tion ˌin-(ˌ)kär-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce incarnation (audio)
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-presidentWalter 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 adjective

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
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Most of it involves the two men bantering (and occasionally bickering) behind the wheel in their current incarnations and the occasional unexpected back-seat cameo (the most memorable one being producer Adler, who financed and directed their first film). Adam Tschorn, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025 Gina Joseph, who was chief strategy officer at VentureBeat and GamesBeat, now serves as CEO for the latter’s new incarnation, which is keeping the same name. Kaare Eriksen, Variety, 22 Apr. 2025 The United States and its allies, however, will have to determine whether a China that is a softer incarnation of its current self should be regarded as a legitimate part of a changing global order—or still be treated as an existential threat. Rana Mitter, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025 This year’s festival is the eighth incarnation of WOW since it was first launched in 2013. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for incarnation

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of incarnation was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Incarnation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incarnation. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

incarnation

noun
in·​car·​na·​tion ˌin-ˌkär-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce incarnation (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on incarnation

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