promulgation
Americannoun
-
the act of making a law or decree known, or formally putting it into effect, by public declaration.
Upon adoption, signing, and promulgation of these provisions in the established procedure, they acquire the power of law.
-
the act of publicly teaching or setting forth an idea, doctrine, etc..
The systematic study of parasites began with the promulgation of the germ theory.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of promulgation
First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin prōmulgātiōn-, stem of prōmulgātiō, equivalent to prōmulgāt(us) (past participle of prōmulgāre ) + -iō -ion ( def. ); see promulgate ( def. )
Explanation
Use the word promulgation when you're talking about an official announcement, like a newspaper story announcing a town's new regulations on trash and recycling services. A public notice or announcement can be called a promulgation, though it's used more often to describe a government's declaration — often in the newspaper or on the radio — of new laws. If you want to sound especially formal or fancy, you can call your book club's notification of a venue change a promulgation. It comes from the Latin promulgare, "make publicly known," itself a combination of pro, "out," and mulgere, "to cause to come forth," or literally, "to milk."
Vocabulary lists containing promulgation
"The Purloined Letter" by Edgar Allan Poe
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!
Kaffir Boy
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!
On Liberty
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.
The president has a largely ceremonial role, responsible for representation and the promulgation of laws, while most executive powers lie with the prime minister.
From Barron's ● Jul. 19, 2026
In all, 47 people were charged in what was the largest case brought since the promulgation of the national security law.
From Seattle Times ● May 30, 2024
According to Dr Taylor, "while the Congress tends to be a decidedly performative autocratic exercise, there are elements of policy innovation and promulgation that bubble up".
From BBC ● Mar. 3, 2024
The most interesting question answered by the promulgation of the new/old rules, therefore, is who it was that was confused about the old rules to such an extent that they needed to be laid down.
From Slate ● Nov. 13, 2023
In the promulgation of economic law our interest perverts the simple and just operation of our ignorance.
From Behind the Mirrors The Psychology of Disintegration at Washington by Gilbert, Clinton W. (Clinton Wallace)
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.
