'annunciation' originates from Late Latin, specifically the word 'annuntiatio', where 'ad-' meant 'to' (through assimilation often seen as 'an-') and 'nuntiare' meant 'to announce'.

'annunciation' changed from Old French 'annonciation' and Middle English 'annunciacioun' (or 'annunciacion') and eventually became the modern English word 'annunciation'.

Initially it meant 'the act of announcing' or 'a message', but over time it came to be strongly associated with the specific angelic announcement to Mary and the Christian feast commemorating that event; it can still be used more generally to mean 'an announcement'.