n.1 the season before Christmas, including the four preceding Sundays.
2 the coming or second coming of Christ.
3 (advent) the arrival of esp. an important person or thing.
Phrases and idioms:
Advent calendar Brit. a calendar for Advent, usu. of card with flaps to open each day revealing a picture or scene. Advent Sunday the first Sunday in Advent.
Etymology: OE f. OF advent, auvent f. L adventus arrival f. advenire (as AD-, venire vent- come)