nativity

[nuh-tiv-i-tee, ney-]

noun

plural

nativities 

1. birth.

2. birth with reference to place or attendant circumstances.

   of Irish nativity.

3. (initial capital letter),  the birth of Christ.

4. (initial capital letter),  the church festival commemorating the birth of Christ; Christmas.

5. (initial capital letter),  a representation of the birth of Christ, as in art.

6. Astrology.,  a horoscope of a person's birth.

Nativity

¹

/ nəˈtɪvɪtɪ /

noun

1. the birth of Jesus Christ

2. the feast of Christmas as a commemoration of this

3. 1. an artistic representation of the circumstances of the birth of Christ

   2. ( as modifier )

      a Nativity play

nativity

²

/ nəˈtɪvɪtɪ /

noun

1. birth or origin, esp in relation to the circumstances surrounding it

Nativity

1. The birth of Jesus, described in two of the Gospels (Matthew and Luke). When Jesus' parents, Mary and Joseph, traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem to be counted in a government census, they found that there was no room for them in the local inn. Mary gave birth to Jesus in a common stable and laid him in a manger (a feeding trough for livestock). Christians (see also Christian) believe that Jesus' birth fulfilled many Old Testament prophecies and was attended by miraculous events, such as a star above Bethlehem that drew local shepherds as well as the Wise Men, or Magi, from a distant land.

The Nativity is celebrated at Christmas. We date our present historical era from the birth of Jesus, referring to the years before his birth as b.c. (before Christ) and the years after his birth as a.d. (anno Domini, a Latin phrase meaning “in the year of the Lord”).

Word History and Origins

Origin of Nativity¹

before 1150; Middle English nativite < Middle French < Late Latin nātīvitāt- (stem of nātīvitās; native, -ity ); replacing late Old English nativiteth < Old French nativited < Late Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of Nativity¹

C14: via Old French from Late Latin nātīvitas birth: see _native

Example Sentences

"Prom is a huge cost to parents at the moment. Things like World Book Day, Children in Need, Christmas Nativity, Christmas jumper days," Ms Watkins said.

From BBC

The teenager's first acting role was in Nativity Rocks! - the fourth in the Christmas comedy film series by Coventry writer and director Debbie Isitt.

From BBC

There are not the usual cheerful street decorations nor the giant Christmas tree in front of the Nativity Church, built over the spot where it is believed that Jesus was born.

From BBC

Puritans also did not oppose commemorating the Nativity on principle, even if they objected to its practice at the time.

From Salon

This popular holiday tune – known for its lords a-leaping and french hens – has many variations and refers to the real-life festive Christian season that celebrates the Nativity.

From Salon

Related Words

• beginning 
• childbirth 
• creation 
• delivery 

When To Use

What does nativity mean?

Nativity refers to the birth of Jesus, the central figure of the religion of Christianity.Christians celebrate the Nativity during Christmas, and the word is sometimes used as another name for Christmas.Nativity can also be used to refer to an artistic depiction of the birth of Jesus, such as in a play (also called a Nativity play) or a scene involving statues of the figures at the birth (also called a Nativity scene). In all of these uses, the word is usually capitalized.The word nativity is also used in some more general ways, though they are less common. It can simply mean a birth, especially in relation to the circumstances of it. It can also be used to refer to a person’s birthplace, as in Zoe often mentions her Greek nativity. More specifically, in the context of astrology, one’s nativity is the horoscope of their birth.Example: Every year at Christmas we create a live Nativity in our front yard, with our dog playing the part of a sheep.