'antecommunion' originates from Latin, specifically the prefix 'ante-' (from Latin 'ante') meaning 'before' and the noun 'communion' (from Latin 'communio') meaning 'sharing' or 'fellowship'.

'antecommunion' was formed in English from the combining of the Latin-derived elements 'ante-' + 'communion', used in ecclesiastical Latin and later adopted into English liturgical vocabulary (appearing in Early Modern English usage in contexts describing parts of the Mass or Communion service).

Initially it literally meant 'that which is before communion', and over time it has remained a technical liturgical term referring specifically to the rites or portion of the service preceding Holy Communion.