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
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
Over the Christmas season, as much of the world marked the birth of Jesus Christ, Islam’s cousin was killed in an airstrike less than 100 kilometers from Bethlehem, the city of Christ’s nativity.
—Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
There is a large-scale nativity, Dickens-era carolers and the lighting of the tree, among other features.
—Heather McRea, Orange County Register, 26 Dec. 2024
War, financial anxiety and political unpredictability plaguing many nations are clouding this year's Christmas celebrations as nativity scenes go up.
—Russell Contreras, Axios, 25 Dec. 2024
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Beth Brady, Sun Sentinel, 21 Jan. 2025
Over the Christmas season, as much of the world marked the birth of Jesus Christ, Islam’s cousin was killed in an airstrike less than 100 kilometers from Bethlehem, the city of Christ’s nativity.
—Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
There is a large-scale nativity, Dickens-era carolers and the lighting of the tree, among other features.
—Heather McRea, Orange County Register, 26 Dec. 2024
War, financial anxiety and political unpredictability plaguing many nations are clouding this year's Christmas celebrations as nativity scenes go up.
—Russell Contreras, Axios, 25 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for nativity
Cite this Entry
“Nativity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nativity. Accessed 22 Apr. 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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