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

Test your knowledge of culinary controversies, presidential proclamations and more in this week's American Culture Quiz. —Staff, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026

The proclamation also mentions the Tubbs, Camp and North Complex blazes of recent years. —Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026

The emergency proclamation will allow the city to address the erosion issue more quickly by streamlining contracting and permitting processes. —Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026

The presidential proclamation, announced in June 2025 and expanded in December, suspends a person’s ability to enter the United States. —Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 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