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

Letter Cresset External link April 16: Recent troubling private-credit headlines prompted market Cassandras to proclaim an incipient credit crisis.

From Barron's • Apr. 17, 2026

Throughout the fair, you can easily find unique and colorful birthday gifts, like dragon eggs or a buy-your-own-fairy house, that would make your nieces, nephews and little cousins quickly proclaim you their favorite relative.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

On Jan. 20, 1961, President John F. Kennedy used his inaugural address to proclaim America’s commitment to protecting and promoting democracy and freedom across the globe.

From Salon • Dec. 9, 2025

Now, Pope John believed, it was time to leave that defensive crouch and boldly proclaim Jesus as “the light of the nations.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025

Was I supposed to proclaim my love for him?

From "P.S. I Miss You" by Jen Petro-Roy

Related Words

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