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

Several states previously recognized a day on or near Chavez's March 31 birthday as an annual holiday, and in 2014 President Barack Obama signed a proclamation commemorating March 31 as César Chavez Day. —ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026

The chant, the lawsuit says, is a Praise Imbongi, a form of royal praise poetry, and stands independently as an African vocal proclamation rooted in cultural tradition. —Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026

Hancock requested the opinion after Abbott issued a proclamation in November that designated CAIR as a foreign terrorist organization. —Aarón Torres, Dallas Morning News, 25 Mar. 2026

The city has not provided details, and during Monday night's special meeting, not a single councilmember spoke when the city decided to declare an emergency proclamation. —Tim Fang, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026

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 2

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