declaration

noun

dec·​la·​ra·​tion ˌde-klə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce declaration (audio)
1
: the act of declaring : announcement
2
a
: the first pleading in a common-law action
b
: a statement made by a party to a legal transaction usually not under oath
3
a
: something that is declared
a declaration of love
b
: a document containing such a declaration

Examples of declaration in a Sentence

The government has made a declaration of war on its enemies. The case was ended by declaration of a mistrial. You will need to make a declaration of your income.
Recent Examples on the Web Not many product launches start with a declaration of war. Olivia Rudgard, Fortune Europe, 12 Mar. 2024 The Telegram channels that had circulated McGregor’s declaration of war the night before the stabbing claimed asylum seekers posed an innate, existential threat to Ireland’s citizens. Caolán Magee, CNN, 12 Mar. 2024 The agency pushed the deadline for taxpayers in San Diego County back to June 17 in response to the federal disaster declaration in that county. Jon Healey, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2024 The city’s flood emergency declaration allowed the city to expedite the regulatory process, Galindo said. Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024 At that time, two of the jurors who convicted Cantu had submitted declarations with doubts about the case. María Luisa Paúl, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024 The timing, declaration, amount and payment of any dividends following the separation and the distribution will be within the discretion of Solventum’s Board of Directors. Joe Cornell, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Like an uncommon desert super bloom, the return of Lake Manly serves as a powerful declaration: Death Valley is alive. Reis Thebault, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024 Meek has always been known for his unpolished social media presence, which worked against him as fans relentlessly engaged with his barrage of declarations of his heterosexuality. Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'declaration.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of declaration was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near declaration

Cite this Entry

“Declaration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/declaration. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

declaration

noun
dec·​la·​ra·​tion ˌdek-lə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce declaration (audio)
1
: the act of declaring : announcement
2
: something declared or a document containing such a declaration
the Declaration of Independence

Legal Definition

declaration

noun
dec·​la·​ra·​tion
1
: the act of declaring
declaration of dividends
declaration of war
2
a
: the first pleading in a common-law action compare complaint, indictment
b
: a statement usually not under oath made by a party to a legal transaction
the attorney must later sign an affidavit or declaration stating that he has informed the debtorJ. H. Williamson
c
: a statement not under oath being offered as evidence
declaration against interest
: a statement made by someone unavailable as a witness that is against that person's own interests (as pecuniary or property interests) or may subject that person to liability compare admission, confession, self-incrimination

Note: A declaration against interest is an exception to the hearsay rule. If it is offered in a criminal case and tends to expose the declarant to criminal liability it is not admissible unless supported by corroborating circumstances that clearly indicate the trustworthiness of the statement.

dying declaration
: a statement that is made by a person who firmly believes that he or she is about to die and has no hope of recovery and that concerns the circumstances or cause of the presumed death compare excited utterance, res gestae

Note: Dying declarations are an exception to the hearsay rule and can be admitted as evidence only if the declarant is unavailable as a witness.

self-serving declaration
: a statement made out of court that is in the declarant's own interest
spontaneous declaration \ spän-​ˈtā-​nē-​əs-​ \
: an excited utterance that is made without time for fabrication

called also spontaneous exclamation, spontaneous utterance

compare res gestae

Note: Spontaneous declarations are exceptions to the hearsay rule under the excited utterance exception.

3
: something that is declared: as
a
: a statement proclaiming the principles, aims, or policies of a group or government
declaration of rights
compare constitution, proclamation
b
: a statement of the value of property that is subject to a tax (as a duty)
also : a statement of the amount of tax estimated to be due (as on property or income) see also estimated tax compare return
c
: a statement of information (as year, make, and model) regarding the subject (as a car) and coverage of an insurance policy
4
: a statement creating or giving notice of the creation of a legal entity, relationship, or status
also : the instrument embodying such a statement
declaration of condominium
: a declaration of the creation of a condominium that includes a description of the common and individual interests and obligations compare master deed at deed
declaration of homestead
: a declaration by a qualified property owner by which the protection of a homestead exemption is effectuated
declaration of trust
: a declaration by one holding or taking title to property in which he or she acknowledges that the property is held in trust for another
5
: declaratory judgment at judgment 1a

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