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 listed 12 countries whose nationals faced a full travel ban and another seven whose nationals were under a partial travel ban. —Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 5 Dec. 2025

Colloquially, that proclamation is known as the travel ban. —Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 2 Dec. 2025

Presidents of both parties have relied on it to sign letters and proclamations. —Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025

But a June White House proclamation placed a travel ban on 12 countries of concern. —Alana Wise, NPR, 28 Nov. 2025

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