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
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
But last week, the company was declared a transnational criminal organization by United States authorities, and Chen was charged in absentia in New York with money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy, along with several associates.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Earlier this month, coffee prices rose after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration declared that La Nina conditions had formed.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
Controversy arose earlier this year after residents, a council member and the mayor declared a cooling station set up for homeless residents and others without adequate heating and cooling as unacceptable.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2025
The Houthi militants who have been attacking commercial vessels since late 2023 in response to Israel’s offensive against Hamas have not declared a ceasefire of their own.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for declare
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Helen Regan, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Earlier this month, coffee prices rose after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration declared that La Nina conditions had formed.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
Controversy arose earlier this year after residents, a council member and the mayor declared a cooling station set up for homeless residents and others without adequate heating and cooling as unacceptable.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2025
The Houthi militants who have been attacking commercial vessels since late 2023 in response to Israel’s offensive against Hamas have not declared a ceasefire of their own.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for declare
Cite this Entry
“Declare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/declare. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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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