proclamation
prok-luh-MAY-shun
/ˌprɒkləˈmeɪʃn/
An official public announcement, especially one dealing with a matter of great importance.
Carries legal, state, or sovereign authority, formally decreeing a momentous policy or status.
The story behind the word. Derived from Latin proclamare ('to shout out, declare loudly'), combining pro- ('forth') and clamare ('to cry out'). Town criers originally shouted proclamations in public squares so all citizens could hear state decrees.
Word relationships
- declaration: Declaration states a position or fact; proclamation carries formal state decree authority published to the masses.
- suppression: Suppression conceals information, whereas proclamation announces it publicly.
Commonly confused with
- acclamation: Acclamation is loud verbal approval, while a proclamation is an official public decree.
Word family
- proclaim (verb): Announce officially or publicly.
- proclaimer (noun): One who makes a public announcement.
Collocations
- official proclamation
- issue a proclamation
- presidential proclamation
Idioms & expressions
- read the proclamation
Example sentences
- "The leader read the solemn proclamation declaring the birth of the sovereign republic." Declaration of Independence
Memory hook
PROCLAIM out loud to make a PROCLAMATION. Shouting forth an official decree.
When not to use
Avoid using for personal routine announcements like telling friends what you ate for lunch.
Fun facts
- In medieval Europe, town criers began proclamations by ringing a bell and shouting 'Oyez, oyez, oyez!'—Old French for 'Hear ye!'
Related words
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