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

Trump's 25% tariffs on automobile parts are due to take effect no later than May 3, according to the president's proclamation. —Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025

President Trump signed a proclamation on March 14 igniting the wartime powers that have only been used three other times in U.S. history. —Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 8 Apr. 2025

This week, Miley Cyrus takes on the calamitous state of the world with Eighties synths and bold proclamations, Ed Sheeran incorporates Persian melodies into his first single of 2025, and Haim deliver an acoustic plea for freedom. —Rolling Stone, 4 Apr. 2025

After Dunmore’s proclamation, even his erstwhile friend Washington, now in charge of the Continental Army, lost some of his enslaved workers to Dunmore’s camp. —Andrew Lawler, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for proclamation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

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