proclamation

noun

proc·​la·​ma·​tion ˌprä-klə-ˈmā-shən How to pronounce proclamation (audio)
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 state senate issued a proclamation more than a decade ago declaring this town the Christmas Capital of Texas. Jennifer Chappell Smith, Southern Living, 13 Nov. 2023 The proclamation presentation was wedged between agenda items. Reis Thebault, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2023 Requests that fall short of the criteria for a proclamation may receive a certificate of congratulation or letter of recognition from the mayor. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Oct. 2023 Mayorkas contends in the text of the notice that expediting construction is consistent with the proclamation. Kate Aronoff, The New Republic, 5 Oct. 2023 The announcement comes after Hawaii Governor Josh Green signed an emergency proclamation that lifted the travel ban to the area starting Oct. 8. Kait Hanson, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2023 Some states officially celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day and others commemorate it through proclamations. Ramishah Maruf, CNN, 8 Oct. 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month began as National Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968, an event that largely involved a succession of U.S. presidents (starting with Lyndon Johnson) issuing proclamations in honor of U.S. Latinos. Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2023 But those attention-grabbing proclamations obscure what’s happening in many workplaces. Byalicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2023 See More

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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of proclamation was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near proclamation

Cite this Entry

“Proclamation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proclamation. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

proclamation

noun
proc·​la·​ma·​tion ˌpräk-lə-ˈmā-shən How to pronounce proclamation (audio)
1
: the act of proclaiming
2
: something proclaimed

Legal Definition

proclamation

noun
proc·​la·​ma·​tion ˌprä-klə-ˈmā-shən How to pronounce proclamation (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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