Advent

noun

Ad·​vent ˈad-ˌvent 

 chiefly British  -vənt

1

: the period beginning four Sundays before Christmas and observed by some Christians as a season of prayer and fasting

2

a

: the coming of Christ at the Incarnation (see incarnation sense 3b(1))

b

: second coming

3

not capitalized : a coming into being or use

the advent of spring

the advent of pasteurization

the advent of personal computers

Synonyms

• appearance
• arrival
• coming
• incoming

Examples of Advent in a Sentence

with the advent of the mass-produced automobile, the need for a better system of roads and highways soon became apparent

Recent Examples on the Web

The fun Xmas tradition has made room for skin care, and this Molton Brown Advent Calendar will pamper your mom from head to toe. —Annie Blackman, Allure, 5 Nov. 2024

The most popular sets around the holidays and Cyber Week are Advent calendars and Lego flower bouquets. —Kasey Caminiti, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024

Amazon has more than 40% off bath mats, jar openers, hair styling tools 2024 beauty Advent calendars are already selling out! —Kasey Caminiti, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024

The retailer also did an Aqua costume jewelry Advent calendar. —Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Medieval Latin adventus, going back to Latin, "arrival, appearance," from adven-, variant stem of advenīre "to arrive" (from ad- ad- + venīre "to come," going back to Indo-European *g^wem-i̯e-) + -tus, suffix of action nouns — more at come entry 1

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Advent

• Advent Sunday
• Advent wreath

Kids Definition

advent

noun

ad·​vent

ˈad-ˌvent

1

capitalized : the season beginning four Sundays before Christmas

2

: the first appearance : arrival

the advent of spring

Etymology

Middle English advent "Christmas season," from Latin adventus (same meaning), from earlier adventus "arrival"