'antependium' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'antependium', where 'ante-' meant 'before' and 'pendēre' meant 'to hang.'

'antependium' passed through Medieval Latin as 'antependium' and was borrowed into Middle English as 'antependium', from which the plural 'antependia' is formed.

Initially, it meant 'a hanging placed before something', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a decorative hanging placed before an altar or pulpit.'