proclamation

noun

proc·​la·​ma·​tion ˌprä-klə-ˈmā-shən 

1

: the action of proclaiming : the state of being proclaimed

2

: something proclaimed

specifically : an official formal public announcement

Examples of proclamation in a Sentence

the proclamation of martial law

The President issued a proclamation which freed the slaves.

Recent Examples on the Web

But coach Kevin Willard cautioned against making grand proclamations off of the outcome. —Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 5 Dec. 2024

Lee Jae-myung, the head of South Korea's opposition Democratic Party, has described the proclamation of martial law as unconstitutional. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024

These days, those sorts of proclamations tend to feel more specious than ever. —Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024

Following Lincoln’s proclamation of caring for those wounded by war, the first national Thanksgiving holiday was a success. —William Lambers, Hartford Courant, 28 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English proclamacion, from Anglo-French, from Latin proclamation-, proclamatio, from proclamare

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

proclamation

noun

proc·​la·​ma·​tion ˌpräk-lə-ˈmā-shən 

1

: the act of proclaiming

2

: something proclaimed

Legal Definition

proclamation

noun

proc·​la·​ma·​tion ˌprä-klə-ˈmā-shən 

1

: the act of proclaiming

2

: something proclaimed

specifically : an official formal public announcement (as a public notice, edict, or decree) compare declaration, executive order