declared; declaring
1
a
: to make known formally, officially, or explicitly
publicly declared her opposition to the plan
b
: to make known as a determination
The judge declared the defendant fit to stand trial.
She was declared the rightful heir to the throne.
2
obsolete
: to make clear
3
: to make evident : show
a glimpse of his head in outline … declared his present state of mind—
Osbert Sitwell
Osbert Sitwell4
: to state emphatically : affirm
declares his innocence
"You are quite a quiz, I do declare!"—Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens5
: to make a full statement of (one's taxable or dutiable property)
Large purchases must be declared at customs.
6
7
: to make payable
declare a dividend
1
: to make a declaration
poetry … evokes rather than merely declares—C. S. Kilby
C. S. Kilby2
: to avow one's opinion or support
declaring for or against a candidate
3
: to announce one's intentions (as to run for political office)
declared for mayor
Synonyms
Examples of declare in a Sentence
The government has just declared a state of emergency.
He openly declared his love for her.
They failed to declare all of their earnings on their tax return.
Large purchases must be declared at customs.
Do you have anything to declare?
Recent Examples on the Web
Corporate America took notice four years ago when Larry Fink, CEO of investment giant BlackRock, declared climate change a top concern.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2024
And multiple public agencies have adopted resolutions declaring the issue an emergency.
—Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024
The GOP also said Mayorkas falsely declared the U.S. maintains operational control of the border.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 19 Apr. 2024
Duran, the No. 2 Democrat in the House, joined as a co-sponsor, and House Speaker Julie McCluskie declared that the policy was a priority of the chamber during her opening-day remarks in January.
—Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2024
The World Economic Forum’s 2020 (WEF) report declares DEI a moral, legal, and economic imperative with profitability up to 36% more likely in organizations that embrace DEI.
—Barron Witherspoon, Sr., Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024
Desperate to clear the air, Robbie rushes to the airport, purchases a ticket to Las Vegas, and gets help from the cabin crew (and Billy Idol!) to declare his love for Julia through song.
—EW.com, 19 Apr. 2024
But when the party was declared a terrorist organization, opposition figures were killed, jailed or driven into exile.
—Eric Schmitt, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2024
The Mansfield school board on Thursday declared Place 2 candidate Angel Hidalgo ineligible for the May 4 election.
—Noah Alcala Bach, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Apr. 2024
Max Zahn, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2024
And multiple public agencies have adopted resolutions declaring the issue an emergency.
—Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024
The GOP also said Mayorkas falsely declared the U.S. maintains operational control of the border.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 19 Apr. 2024
Duran, the No. 2 Democrat in the House, joined as a co-sponsor, and House Speaker Julie McCluskie declared that the policy was a priority of the chamber during her opening-day remarks in January.
—Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2024
The World Economic Forum’s 2020 (WEF) report declares DEI a moral, legal, and economic imperative with profitability up to 36% more likely in organizations that embrace DEI.
—Barron Witherspoon, Sr., Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024
Desperate to clear the air, Robbie rushes to the airport, purchases a ticket to Las Vegas, and gets help from the cabin crew (and Billy Idol!) to declare his love for Julia through song.
—EW.com, 19 Apr. 2024
But when the party was declared a terrorist organization, opposition figures were killed, jailed or driven into exile.
—Eric Schmitt, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2024
The Mansfield school board on Thursday declared Place 2 candidate Angel Hidalgo ineligible for the May 4 election.
—Noah Alcala Bach, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'declare.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near declare
Cite this Entry
“Declare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/declare. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
declare
verb
de·clare
di-ˈkla(ə)r 
-ˈkle(ə)r
declared; declaring
1
: to make known openly or officially
declare war
2
: to state strongly
declared his innocence
3
: to make a full statement of (taxable property or items on which duty must be paid)
declaratory
adjective
-ˈklar-ə-ˌtōr-ē
-ˌtȯr-
declarer
noun
Etymology
Middle English declaren "to make clear, make known," from early French declarer (same meaning), from Latin declarare "to make clear," from de- "from" and clarare "to make clear," from clarus "clear, bright" — related to clear
Legal Definition
declare
transitive verb
de·clare
declared; declaring
1
: to make known formally, officially, or explicitly
declaring who shall then act as President—U.S. Constitution amend. XX
U.S. Constitution amend. XX2
a
: to make a full statement of (one's taxable property)
didn't declare some of his income
b
: to state the value of (one's taxable or dutiable property)
declared the diamond earrings
3
: to make payable
declare dividends
declarer
noun
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