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
Walter TellerTV 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)
Incarnation
: the union of divinity with humanity in Jesus Christ
(2)
: the embodiment of a deity or spirit in some earthly form
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 fact, there are dozens, including a 1988 Japanese incarnation, a 2015 retelling set in a California high school, and several versions from India, a Bollywood musical among them.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
In its prior incarnation, Court TV rode the momentum of cable television through the 1990s and 2000s and took advantage of permissive rules in states like California allowing cameras in courtrooms.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 9 Feb. 2026
The house then went through a couple of incarnations, owned by different families, before family-run Uga Escapes—whose show-stopping properties, span Anuradhapura to Yala National Park—took it over.
—Harriet Compston, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Feb. 2026
Arnold handled drumming duties as well as singing in the early incarnation of the post-grunge band.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incarnation
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Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
In its prior incarnation, Court TV rode the momentum of cable television through the 1990s and 2000s and took advantage of permissive rules in states like California allowing cameras in courtrooms.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 9 Feb. 2026
The house then went through a couple of incarnations, owned by different families, before family-run Uga Escapes—whose show-stopping properties, span Anuradhapura to Yala National Park—took it over.
—Harriet Compston, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Feb. 2026
Arnold handled drumming duties as well as singing in the early incarnation of the post-grunge band.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incarnation
Cite this Entry
“Incarnation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incarnation. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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