annunciation

noun

an·​nun·​ci·​a·​tion ə-ˌnən(t)-sē-ˈā-shən 

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

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

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