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 of nativity

• birth

Examples of nativity in a Sentence

my father and grandparents were proud observers of my nativity

Recent Examples on the Web

Around this time of the year, many homes are adorned with twinkling lights, candy canes, reindeer, nativity scenes and more. — Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 12 Dec. 2025

The display features hundreds of lights, festive wreaths, a nativity scene, large nutcrackers and even a nod to their late family members. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 11 Dec. 2025

The prisoners built a nativity scene that members of the community visited on Christmas Eve. — Kim Norvell, Des Moines Register, 29 Jan. 2026

But when decorations contain religious symbols – a nativity scene or menorah, for example – does that violate the separation of church and state? — Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 22 Dec. 2025

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

Rhymes for nativity

• acclivity
• activity
• captivity
• declivity
• festivity
• passivity
• proclivity
• absorptivity
• affectivity
• collectivity
• conductivity
• connectivity

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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