annunciation

noun

an·​nun·​ci·​a·​tion ə-ˌnən(t)-sē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce annunciation (audio)
1
capitalized : March 25 observed as a church festival in commemoration of the announcement of the Incarnation to the Virgin Mary
2
: the act of announcing or of being announced : announcement

Examples of annunciation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web One is his first memory of lying in a cradle and a falcon flying in and striking his mouth with its tail, like an annunciation. San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2023 Open seams in the ceiling allow sunlight to enter in ghostly lines—some defining an alternative volume within the space, others fanning out like an annunciation. Dana Goodyear, The New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2020 These will cover the birth and annunciation of Jesus and the journey and adoration of the Magi. Zachary Lewis, cleveland, 4 Dec. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'annunciation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English annunciacioun, from Anglo-French annuntiatun, from Late Latin annuntiation-, annuntiatio, from Latin annuntiare — more at announce

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of annunciation was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near annunciation

Cite this Entry

“Annunciation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/annunciation. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

Annunciation

noun
An·​nun·​ci·​a·​tion
ə-ˌnən(t)-sē-ˈā-shən
: the announcement to the Virgin Mary that she was to be the mother of the Messiah
also : March 25 observed as a church festival in honor of the Annunciation

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