noun

nativity

nuh-TIHV-ih-tee

noun

The birth of Jesus Christ, or a scene or display representing it.

"The children performed a nativity play at the school Christmas concert."

"They set up a small nativity scene under the tree every December."

Someone's birth, or the circumstances surrounding it.

"The book traces the nativity and early years of the composer's life."

How to Use Nativity

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMost often refers to the birth of Jesus and the scenes/plays depicting it, though it can also just mean "a birth" more generally.

Common pairings

nativity scene nativity play the nativity of Christ

nativities plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Can you complete this real example?

The children performed a _____ play at the school Christmas concert.

From Latin nātīvitās, "birth," from nātus, "born" — the same root as "native" and "natal."

city pity deity unity entity equity nudity oddity enmity uppity vanity cavity