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
The virus’ spread prompted the World Health Organization in August to declare a public health emergency of international concern, particularly as the virus spread to several other neighboring countries in Africa.
—Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 17 Nov. 2024
Edgewell's board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per common share, payable on January 8, 2025, to shareholders of record as of December 3, 2024.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
Despite my reservations about another one-on-one hang after declaring group hangs my thing post-Timeleft, spending time with Ariana was effortless and renewed my hope for the apps.
—Allie Volpe, Vox, 14 Nov. 2024
The Great Plains Tribal Leaders’ Health Board first called on HHS to declare a public health emergency in February.
—Kff Health News, Orange County Register, 13 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for declare 
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Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 17 Nov. 2024
Edgewell's board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per common share, payable on January 8, 2025, to shareholders of record as of December 3, 2024.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
Despite my reservations about another one-on-one hang after declaring group hangs my thing post-Timeleft, spending time with Ariana was effortless and renewed my hope for the apps.
—Allie Volpe, Vox, 14 Nov. 2024
The Great Plains Tribal Leaders’ Health Board first called on HHS to declare a public health emergency in February.
—Kff Health News, Orange County Register, 13 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for declare
Dictionary Entries Near declare
Cite this Entry
“Declare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/declare. Accessed 1 Dec. 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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