nativity

noun

nə-ˈti-və-tē How to pronounce nativity (audio)
Definition of nativitynext
as in birth
the act or instance of being born my father and grandparents were proud observers of my nativity

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nativity At the front of the room, an elaborate nativity scene (one of several set up throughout the house) has been arranged on an old mantle fireplace, a halo of blue and white string lights framing miniature angels and an extra-miniature baby Jesus. — Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026 In Belgium, controversy erupted this month after Brussels unveiled a modern reinterpretation of a traditional nativity scene in the city’s Grand Place. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 23 Dec. 2025 Cicero, originally from Scicli, suggests bookmarking the Church of San Bartolomeo’s Neapolitan nativity, or the curious Cristo con la gonnella. — Jenn Rice, Vogue, 18 Mar. 2026 St Peter’s Square has been decorated with a nativity scene from the Diocese of Nocera Inferiore-Sarno, in Campania, southwest Italy, and a 25-meter-tall Christmas tree from the Val d’Ultimo area in Bolzano, northern Italy. — Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 25 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nativity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nativity
birth
Noun
  • Other theories suggest that certain cells within the abdomen may transform into endometrial-like tissue, while some evidence points to stem cells or developmental changes that occur before birth.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 July 2026
  • Maxton Bowman — a 2-year-old from Shildon, England — is autistic and nonverbal, and has faced health challenges since birth.
    — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026
Definition of birth

Browse Nearby Words

nativities
nativity
natter
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Nativity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nativity. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on nativity

Nglish: Translation of nativity for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nativity

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All