announce

verb

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

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

Examples of announce in a Sentence

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Illinois State Historical Society announced the 2026 Best of Illinois History Awards winners during an April 25 luncheon in Springfield, recognizing more than two dozen authors, students, teachers, historical societies and museums from across the state. Jim Dudlicek, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026 Mehdi Taj, president of the Iran Football Federation, announced the decision Saturday in a statement released by the federation’s media relations office. Chantz Martin Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 May 2026 On Friday, the NBA announced the players named to its All-Defensive teams. Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 23 May 2026 Final aspects and details of the Deal are currently being discussed, and will be announced shortly. Ted Johnson, Deadline, 23 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for announce

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Announce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/announce. Accessed 24 May. 2026.

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster