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

There’s a very good setpiece involving an out of control golf cart and a large-scale nativity scene. —Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2024

The scenes of the era were both divine and mundane, from Hans Memling’s luminous nativity scene, circa 1480, to Bruegel’s depiction of an angry wife hauling home her intoxicated husband, circa 1620. —Osman Can Yerebakan, CNN, 15 Aug. 2024

The intricate gold ensemble, designed by Dolce & Gabbana, included a headpiece that featured an entire nativity scene. —Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 16 Apr. 2024

Each year around Christmas, Ruiz usually puts up a nativity scene in her home, keeping it in place until Feb. 3, the day after the Christian holiday commemorating the presentation of Jesus Christ at the temple. —David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2023

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