pronouncement
Americannoun
-
an official or authoritative statement or announcement
-
the act of pronouncing, declaring, or uttering formally
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of pronouncement
Explanation
A pronouncement is an official announcement, like the kind politicians make. It’s formal and comes from someone in charge. The mayor of your town might make a pronouncement about the importance of not littering. When you make a pronouncement, you're certain about what you're saying and say it with authority. A school principal's pronouncement about not running in the halls might be broadcast over the intercom so everyone can hear it. A big brother might make a pronouncement about what’s for dinner. Feel free to ignore him, but not the principal or the mayor, unless you want to get in trouble. Pronouncement comes from the Latin word pronuntiare, "to proclaim or announce."
Vocabulary lists containing pronouncement
I Am Malala
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Unwind
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
We Were Liars
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Rights groups say that it should be read more as a public pronouncement than a document to bring offenders before the courts.
From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026
The pronouncement was a dramatic contrast to Jackson’s 1984 hosting gig on “Saturday Night Live” and his memorable reading of “Green Eggs and Ham” during a 1991 appearance on the sketch variety series.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 17, 2026
Taken together, the arguments in Hecox and B.P.J. suggest a court searching for a way to uphold sex-based sports classifications without issuing a sweeping pronouncement about transgender status under the Constitution or Title IX.
From Slate • Jan. 14, 2026
At the time, his pronouncement was met with blank faces and stifled laughter.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 11, 2026
At this pronouncement, Chiaroscuro, who was still at Mig’s side, did a small, deliberate jig of joy; in the light of the one candle, his dancing shadow was large and fearsome indeed.
From "The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread" by Kate DiCamillo
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
