incarnation

[ in-kahr-ney-shuhn ]

noun

1. an incarnate being or form.
2. a living being embodying a deity or spirit.
3. assumption of human form or nature.
4. the Incarnation, (sometimes lowercase) Theology. the doctrine that the second person of the Trinity assumed human form in the person of Jesus Christ and is completely both God and man.
5. a person or thing regarded as embodying or exhibiting some quality, idea, or the like:

   The leading dancer is the incarnation of grace.

6. the act of incarnating.
7. state of being incarnated.

incarnation

¹

/ ˌɪnkɑːˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of manifesting or state of being manifested in bodily form, esp human form
2. a bodily form assumed by a god, etc
3. a person or thing that typifies or represents some quality, idea, etc

   the weasel is the incarnation of ferocity

Incarnation

²

/ ˌɪnkɑːˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. Christian theol the assuming of a human body by the Son of God
2. Christianity the presence of God on Earth in the person of Jesus

Incarnation

1. The Christian belief that the Son, the second person of the Trinity , was incarnated, or made flesh, in the person of Jesus , in order to save the world from original sin (see also original sin ).

Other Words From

• incar·nation·al adjective
• postin·car·nation adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of incarnation¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English incarnacion, from Late Latin incarnātiōn-, stem of incarnātiō; equivalent to incarnate + -ion

Example Sentences

Each performance is both a theatrical spectacle and an act of devotion, transforming the performer into a living incarnation of the divine.

From BBC

Paradoxically, by the yardstick of the 19th century, Pratt was considered an “Indian lover,” a champion and defender of Native Americans — but in a purified, Americanized incarnation.

From Los Angeles Times

This is the third incarnation of a bill that would protect reporters from having to divulge confidential sources.

From Salon

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.

From Los Angeles Times

One of the major criticisms of recent United incarnations, going back long before Ten Hag's time, is a lack of work-rate, particularly when it comes to tracking back.

From BBC