proclaim

American  

[proh-kleym, pruh-] / proʊˈkleɪm, prə- /

verb (used with object)

1. to announce or declare in an official or formal manner.

   to proclaim war.

   Synonyms:

   advertise

2. to announce or declare in an open or ostentatious way.

   to proclaim one's opinions.

   Synonyms:

   promulgate

3. to indicate or make known publicly or openly.

4. to extol or praise publicly.

   Let them proclaim the Lord.

5. to declare (a territory, district, etc.) subject to particular legal restrictions.

6. to declare to be an outlaw, evildoer, or the like.

7. to denounce or prohibit publicly.

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verb (used without object)

1. to make a proclamation.

proclaim British  

/ prəˈklæmətərɪ, -trɪ, ˌprɒkləˈmeɪʃən, prəˈkleɪm /

verb

1. (may take a clause as object) to announce publicly

2. (may take a clause as object) to show or indicate plainly

3. to praise or extol

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Related Words

See announce.

Other Word Forms

• proclaimer
  noun
• proclamation
  noun
• proclamatory
  adjective
• reproclaim
  verb (used with object)
• self-proclaimed
  adjective
• self-proclaiming
  adjective
• unproclaimed
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of proclaim

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin prōclāmāre “to cry out”; equivalent to pro- ¹ + claim

Explanation

"I proclaim the Olympic Games open." Every two years with words similar to these, the Olympic games officially begin. To proclaim is to exclaim or declare. When you proclaim something, you are saying it loud and clear and in public. A doctor can proclaim you healthy after you have recovered from a long illness. The panel of judges may have trouble proclaiming the winner in a very tight race. What you are saying out loud can be called a proclamation. Proclamations were once only made by Kings or other ruling leaders which is why the word proclaim has an official feeling to it.

Example Sentences

Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries said its board decided Dec. 16 “to suspend” Bishop Megan Rohrer’s membership “in the ELM Proclaim community and events.”

From Washington Times • Dec. 21, 2021

I therefore Proclaim that a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that I should declare the causes which impel me to these opinions.

From Washington Post • Aug. 12, 2021

And on the current tour, she is raising funds for Proclaim Justice, an organization that advocates for the wrongfully imprisoned.

From New York Times • Jun. 10, 2016

The bell gets its name from its inscription, which comes from Leviticus: "Proclaim Liberty Thro' all the Land to all the Inhabitants Thereof."

From Seattle Times • Jun. 16, 2010

“Set your intention. Proclaim to the universe what you will be,” Lita says.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera

Related Words

• affirm
• announce
• declare
• demonstrate
• indicate
• profess
• publish
• trumpet