declare

verb

de·​clare di-ˈkler How to pronounce declare (audio)
declared; declaring

transitive verb

1
a
: to make known formally, officially, or explicitly
publicly declared her opposition to the plan
b
: to make known as a determination
The judge declared the defendant fit to stand trial.
She was declared the rightful heir to the throne.
2
obsolete : to make clear
3
: to make evident : show
a glimpse of his head in outline … declared his present state of mindOsbert Sitwell
4
: to state emphatically : affirm
declares his innocence
"You are quite a quiz, I do declare!"Charles Dickens
5
: to make a full statement of (one's taxable or dutiable property)
Large purchases must be declared at customs.
6
in card games
a
: to make a bid or announcement naming (a trump suit or no-trump)
b
: meld
7
: to make payable
declare a dividend

intransitive verb

1
: to make a declaration
poetry … evokes rather than merely declaresC. S. Kilby
2
: to avow one's opinion or support
declaring for or against a candidate
3
: to announce one's intentions (as to run for political office)
declared for mayor
declarable adjective
Choose the Right Synonym for declare

declare, announce, proclaim, promulgate mean to make known publicly.

declare implies explicitness and usually formality in making known.

the referee declared the contest a draw

announce implies the declaration of something for the first time.

announced their engagement at a party

proclaim implies declaring clearly, forcefully, and authoritatively.

the president proclaimed a national day of mourning

promulgate implies the proclaiming of a dogma, doctrine, or law.

promulgated an edict of religious toleration

synonyms see in addition assert

Examples of declare in a Sentence

The government has just declared a state of emergency. He openly declared his love for her. They failed to declare all of their earnings on their tax return. Large purchases must be declared at customs. Do you have anything to declare?
Recent Examples on the Web In the second stage, a permanent cease-fire would be declared and Hamas would release all Israeli soldiers being held. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 16 Mar. 2024 The next month, he was declared nondeployable and barred by the Army from handling weapons while on duty. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2024 The United States reviewed a new hostage release offer from Hamas on Friday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, declaring that there was intense ongoing work to try to reach a deal that would impose a cease-fire on a war that started five months ago. Hazem Balousha, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 Kentucky state of emergency declared in 3 counties for tornadoes Trimble County is one of three counties to declare a state of emergency. John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 15 Mar. 2024 The referendum, which was authorized Jan. 9, would also declare the fire chief position a full-time role. Claudia Levens, Journal Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2024 Wednesday marked exactly four years since then-President Donald Trump declared a national emergency due to the rapid spread of coronavirus. Alexandra Banner, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 For Motown artists like Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye, this was a model for seizing creative control of their music, and using the full album format to declare their independence. Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 13 Mar. 2024 For much of the United States, the pandemic is now firmly in the past, four years to the day that the Trump administration declared a national emergency as the virus spread uncontrollably. Julie Bosman, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'declare.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French declarer, from Latin declarare, from de- + clarare to make visible, from clarus clear — more at clear

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of declare was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near declare

Cite this Entry

“Declare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/declare. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

declare

verb
de·​clare di-ˈkla(ə)r How to pronounce declare (audio)
-ˈkle(ə)r
declared; declaring
1
: to make known openly or officially
declare war
2
: to state strongly
declared his innocence
3
: to make a full statement of (taxable property or items on which duty must be paid)
declaratory
-ˈklar-ə-ˌtōr-ē
-ˌtȯr-
adjective
declarer noun
Etymology

Middle English declaren "to make clear, make known," from early French declarer (same meaning), from Latin declarare "to make clear," from de- "from" and clarare "to make clear," from clarus "clear, bright" — related to clear

Legal Definition

declare

transitive verb
de·​clare
declared; declaring
1
: to make known formally, officially, or explicitly
declaring who shall then act as PresidentU.S. Constitution amend. XX
2
a
: to make a full statement of (one's taxable property)
didn't declare some of his income
b
: to state the value of (one's taxable or dutiable property)
declared the diamond earrings
3
: to make payable
declare dividends
declarer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on declare

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