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

The Honor is one granted to all sitting or former presidents under a 1954 proclamation signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. —Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2025

President Joe Biden issued a proclamation directing the lowering of flags at all public buildings, military posts and naval vessels. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025

Biden's proclamations on the monuments will protect 848,000 acres of lands of scientific, cultural, ecological and historical importance, the White House said. —Raquel Coronell Uribe, NBC News, 8 Jan. 2025

Most of the federal government will be closed on Jan. 9 in observance of the day of mourning, the president said in a proclamation on Monday. —Caroline Linton, CBS News, 30 Dec. 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