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 Police saw burn wounds on the baby’s body, and the Kansas City Fire Department declared the baby dead at the scene. Andrea Klick, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2024 Vote below, and check back on Friday to see which ensemble Vogue readers declare the best. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 3 Mar. 2024 Alabama’s ruling declared frozen embryos to be children, meaning that any intentional or unintentional harm to an embryo is the legal equivalent of harming a child. Anumita Kaur, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024 Related article Oregon leaders declare 90-day state of emergency in downtown Portland to address fentanyl crisis The officer, his feet on the pedals, braked hard into a turn. Josh Campbell, CNN, 2 Mar. 2024 Judge Michael Jones declared a mistrial Friday, Placer Superior Court records show. Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 2 Mar. 2024 And in Illinois, which votes March 19, a judge last Wednesday relied on the same anti-insurrectionist section of the Constitution used by Colorado to declare that Trump cannot be a candidate – a decision the judge immediately put on hold until the Supreme Court acts. USA TODAY, 2 Mar. 2024 The statement declares that the Rep has raised 92%, or more than $71 million, of the new goal amount. Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2024 The Times reports Jennifer was declared legally dead last October. Sean Neumann, Peoplemag, 1 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 19 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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