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 proclamation declared his birthday – June 24 – as Dennis Biddle Day in Aurora. —David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026

No president since the Civil War has ever publicly bragged about the Mexican-American War in official proclamations. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026

But by the time a suitable hybrid arrived—just two years after Smith’s proclamation—the world had already committed itself to gas. —Bill Gourgey, Popular Science, 5 Feb. 2026

DeSantis' proclamation came after the Florida House, whose leaders have clashed with DeSantis on a variety of issues during the past year, started their own redistricting review. —CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026

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 2

Rhymes for proclamation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

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