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.
Examples of nativity in a Sentence
my father and grandparents were proud observers of my nativity
Recent Examples on the Web
My grandmother used the large window as a seasonal display for her porcelain dolls, Easter decorations and Christmas nativity scene.
—
Cierra Chenier, Essence, 15 Apr. 2025
The town celebrates its history with a magical twist at the Christmas Tour of Homes on December 6, where residents adorn their beautiful homes in their finest holiday decor, and guests enjoy a live nativity scene.
—Roger Sands, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
In sum, despite recent claims questioning their nativity, extensive fossil and genetic evidence confirms that manatees have been present in Florida’s waters for thousands of years, with ancestors dating back over 12,000 years.
—Beth Brady, Sun Sentinel, 21 Jan. 2025
It is decorated with celestial frescoes and houses a vast nativity scene—a traditional craft construction particularly popular in nearby Naples known as a presepe.
—Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for nativity
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Cierra Chenier, Essence, 15 Apr. 2025
The town celebrates its history with a magical twist at the Christmas Tour of Homes on December 6, where residents adorn their beautiful homes in their finest holiday decor, and guests enjoy a live nativity scene.
—Roger Sands, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
In sum, despite recent claims questioning their nativity, extensive fossil and genetic evidence confirms that manatees have been present in Florida’s waters for thousands of years, with ancestors dating back over 12,000 years.
—Beth Brady, Sun Sentinel, 21 Jan. 2025
It is decorated with celestial frescoes and houses a vast nativity scene—a traditional craft construction particularly popular in nearby Naples known as a presepe.
—Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for nativity
Cite this Entry
“Nativity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nativity. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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