advent

[ ad-vent ]

noun

1. a coming into place, view, or being; arrival:

   the advent of the holiday season.

   Synonyms: start, commencement, beginning, onset

2. Usually Advent. the coming of Christ into the world.
3. Advent, the period beginning four Sundays before Christmas, observed in commemoration of the coming of Christ into the world.
4. Usually Advent. Second Coming.

Advent

¹

/ -vənt; ˈædvɛnt /

noun

1. Christianity the season including the four Sundays preceding Christmas or (in Eastern Orthodox churches) the forty days preceding Christmas

advent

²

/ ˈædvɛnt; -vənt /

noun

1. an arrival or coming, esp one which is awaited

Advent

1. The coming of Jesus , either in the Incarnation of biblical times or in the Second Coming at the end of the world. Also, a time observed in many Christian churches in December to prepare for Christmas .

Word History and Origins

Origin of advent¹

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English, from Latin adventus “arrival, approach,” equivalent to ad- “toward” + ven- (stem of venīre “to come”) + -tus suffix of verbal action; ad-

Word History and Origins

Origin of advent¹

C12: from Latin adventus, from advenīre , from ad- to + venīre to come

Example Sentences

Advent calendars have evolved beyond just offering a picture or a little chocolate behind each door.

From BBC

Fisher Investments, the money management firm run by the billionaire Ken Fisher, sold a stake to Advent International and an arm of Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund at a $12.75 billion valuation.

From New York Times

The church recognizes “ordinary time” in the liturgical calendar as the days between the holy seasons of Lent and Advent.

From Los Angeles Times

During the Advent season, they pray thousands of Hail Marys as they roll the dough or cover the sweets with sugar.

From Seattle Times

Aimbridge is owned by private equity firm Advent International, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arrival
• coming
• onset