noun
Uncommon
nativity
nuh-TIHV-ih-tee
Nativity (noun) means the birth of Jesus Christ, or a scene or display representing it. Example: “The children performed a nativity play at the school Christmas concert.”
noun
1
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."
2
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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- nativities
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The children performed a _____ play at the school Christmas concert.
Etymology
From Latin nātīvitās, "birth," from nātus, "born" — the same root as "native" and "natal."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for nativity
See all rhymes for nativity →Frequently asked questions
What does “nativity” mean?
The word “nativity” means the birth of Jesus Christ, or a scene or display representing it. In plain terms, most often refers to the birth of Jesus and the scenes/plays depicting it, though it can also just mean "a birth" more generally.
How do you pronounce “nativity”?
“Nativity” is pronounced nuh-TIHV-ih-tee (/nəˈtɪv.ɪ.ti/ in IPA).
How do you use “nativity” in a sentence?
Here is “nativity” used in a sentence: “The children performed a nativity play at the school Christmas concert.”
What part of speech is “nativity”?
“Nativity” is a noun.
Where does the word “nativity” come from?
The word “nativity” comes from Latin. From Latin nātīvitās, "birth," from nātus, "born" — the same root as "native" and "natal.".
Is “nativity” a common word?
“Nativity” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “nativity” have?
“Nativity” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the birth of Jesus Christ, or a scene or display representing it.
