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The pro- in proclaim means "forward, out", so a proclamation is an "outward" statement intended for the public. We often think of proclamations as something issued by monarchs or dictators, but Lincoln was able to issue his Emancipation Proclamation because as president he had the power to free the slaves in certain areas. At a slightly lower level, a governor may proclaim a day in honor of the state's firemen, a movie critic may proclaim a director to be the best of all, or you may proclaim your New Year's resolutions to a crowd of friends.
Examples of proclaim in a Sentence
Rachel Treisman, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025
Elk are being depleted by wolves, proclaim the Sportsmen’s Alliance, Safari Club International and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, all of which sued to block ESA protections.
—Ted Williams, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2025
When this sprawling estate bowed in 1924, it was proclaimed the Eighth Wonder of the World.
—Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 22 Mar. 2025
In addition to his order pertaining to trans student athletes, Trump signed an order proclaiming that the government will recognize only two unchangeable sexes.
—Jo Yurcaba, NBC News, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proclaim
Cite this Entry
“Proclaim.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proclaim. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
proclaim
verb
Legal Definition
proclaim
transitive verb
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