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 Administration is not even pretending to follow the law, let alone its own proclamations about free speech. —Louis Menand, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025

Some states recognize Indigenous Peoples Day via proclamation, while others treat it as an official holiday. —Chris Sims, IndyStar, 26 Sep. 2025

The president's proclamation has sent hundreds of thousands of workers into a tailspin. —Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025

Throughout the season, New York failed to live up to the proclamation. —Will Sammon, New York Times, 24 Sep. 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 1

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