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

Trump's proclamation exempts a long list of products from the new levies, including beef, tomatoes, oranges, pharmaceuticals, passenger vehicles and certain critical minerals. —Bart Jansen, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026

The Sheriff’s Office said the proclamation helps get additional resources to clear storm damage ahead of next week’s weather. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado updated February 20, Sacbee.com, 21 Feb. 2026

The signs will mark a two-mile stretch of Williamson Road, just south of Granbury, following a proclamation last month by Hood County commissioners. —Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 21 Feb. 2026

Public buildings in Iowa, including city, county and school buildings, would be required obey proclamations from the governor ordering flags lowered to half-staff. —Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register, 20 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