nativity

noun

na·​tiv·​i·​ty nə-ˈti-və-tē 

nā-

plural nativities

1

: the process or circumstances of being born : birth

especially, Nativity : the birth of Jesus

2

: a horoscope at or of the time of one's birth

3

: the place of origin

Did you know?

Nativity is one of many words born of the Latin verb nāscī, which means “to be born.” The gestation of the word was a long one. Nāscī developed in Late Latin into nativitas, meaning “birth,” which passed through Anglo-French as nativité before entering English in the 14th century. Nativity has many siblings and cousins in our language; other terms of the lineage of nāscī include nature, innate, nascent, native, and renaissance.

Synonyms

• birth
• geniture

Examples of nativity in a Sentence

my father and grandparents were proud observers of my nativity

Recent Examples on the Web

The tradition of placing a Christmas tree and the nativity scene at the Vatican started in 1982, during the pontification of Pope John Paul II. —Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024

For decades of American history, nativity scenes depicting the birth of Jesus Christ were traditionally part of public holiday displays. —Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024

Christmas in Loveland Carriage rides, live nativity scene, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus and more. —Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 11 Dec. 2024

The scarf was added to a nativity scene in Vatican City. —Melvin Backman, Quartz, 10 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English nativite, from Anglo-French nativité, from Medieval Latin nativitat-, nativitas, from Late Latin, birth, from Latin nativus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

nativity

noun

na·​tiv·​i·​ty nə-ˈtiv-ət-ē 

nā-

plural nativities

1

capitalized : the birth of Jesus

2

: the time, place, or manner of being born : birth