announce

verb

an·​nounce ə-ˈnau̇n(t)s How to pronounce announce (audio)
announced; announcing

transitive verb

1
: to make known publicly : proclaim
announce a deal
2
a
: to give notice of the arrival, presence, or readiness of (something)
announce dinner
b
: to indicate beforehand : foretell
an invention that announced a new era
3
US : to serve as an announcer of
announce a football game

intransitive verb

1
: to serve as an announcer
2
US
a
: to declare one's candidacy
announce for president
b
: to declare oneself politically
announce against a nominee
Choose the Right Synonym for announce

declare, announce, proclaim, promulgate mean to make known publicly.

declare implies explicitness and usually formality in making known.

the referee declared the contest a draw

announce implies the declaration of something for the first time.

announced their engagement at a party

proclaim implies declaring clearly, forcefully, and authoritatively.

the president proclaimed a national day of mourning

promulgate implies the proclaiming of a dogma, doctrine, or law.

promulgated an edict of religious toleration

Example Sentences

The government announced a cut in taxes. They announced plans to move the company out of the state. The company president has announced her retirement. Their engagement was formally announced in the newspaper.
Recent Examples on the Web Open Up Finally, announce your plans to the world, Schippers says. Amelia Harnish, Women's Health, 28 Feb. 2023 Companies across multiple industries — McKinsey, KPMG, News Corp, Nomad Health — are continuing to announce layoffs. Caroline Ceniza-levine, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2023 Toyota plans to announce prices and fuel economy for the Grand Highlander this summer. Mark Phelan, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2023 California Democratic Congresswoman Barbara Lee is planning to announce her Senate run by the end of this month, a source familiar confirms to NBC News. Ali Vitali, NBC News, 10 Feb. 2023 Toyota plans to announce prices and fuel economy for the Grand Highlander this summer. Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 9 Feb. 2023 By all accounts, Mr. Biden plans to announce a campaign for re-election, probably in March or April. Peter Baker, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2023 Some other potential rivals are queueing up, with Nikki Haley, the former US ambassador to the United Nations, planning to announce her candidacy on February 15 and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo mulling a possible run. Richard Galant, CNN, 5 Feb. 2023 The grants total $315 million, and HUD officials plan to announce more recipients in the coming weeks. Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 4 Feb. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'announce.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French annuncier, from Latin annuntiare, from ad- + nuntiare to report, from nuntius messenger

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near announce

Cite this Entry

“Announce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/announce. Accessed 24 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

announce

verb
an·​nounce ə-ˈnau̇n(t)s How to pronounce announce (audio)
announced; announcing
1
: to make known publicly : proclaim
2
: to give notice of the coming, arrival, or presence of

More from Merriam-Webster on announce

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


A Good Old-Fashioned Quiz

True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY