Declaration: meaning, definitions and examples

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declaration

[ˌdɛkləˈreɪʃən ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

legal document

A formal or explicit statement or announcement.

Synonyms

announcement, proclamation, statement.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
declaration	Formal and official statements, often in written or verbal form. Usually used in legal, political, or serious contexts. The president made a declaration of war The company's declaration of bankruptcy shocked everyone
statement	Any verbal or written comment, often straightforward and factual. Can be used in both personal and official contexts. She gave a statement to the police His statement during the meeting was concise and to the point
announcement	General information shared with the public or a group, can be informal or formal. Often used for important news or updates. They made an announcement about the upcoming event She heard the announcement on the radio
proclamation	Formal and authoritative statements, often made by a person in power like a government official. Usually has a ceremonial or official tone. The mayor issued a proclamation declaring today as 'City Cleanup Day' The king's proclamation was met with applause

Examples of usage

He issued a declaration of war against the neighboring country.
The Declaration of Independence is a historic document that declared the 13 American colonies independent of British rule.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

expression of beliefs

A statement of one's opinions, beliefs, or intentions.

Synonyms

affirmation, assertion, profess.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
declaration	Used when making an official or formal statement, often by someone in authority. The president made a declaration regarding the new policies During the meeting, the CEO's declaration surprised everyone
affirmation	Used when expressing support or approval, often regarding a belief or statement. His constant affirmation of equality inspired many She gave an affirmation of her commitment to the project
assertion	Used when stating something confidently and forcefully, often without proof or regard for contradiction. The lawyer's assertion was met with skepticism His assertion that he was right despite evidence to the contrary annoyed everyone
profess	Used when claiming or declaring something, often a belief or feeling, sometimes implying sincerity or a lack thereof. She professed her love for him in front of everyone He professes to know a lot about the topic, but I doubt his expertise

Examples of usage

She made a declaration of love to him in front of everyone.
The artist's declaration of creativity was evident in his unique paintings.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

formal announcement

The act of declaring something officially or formally.

Synonyms

announcement, decree, pronouncement.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
declaration	Used when formally announcing something officially or publicly, often in a legal or political context. The government made a declaration of a state of emergency. He read the Declaration of Independence aloud.
announcement	Used when conveying news or information to the public, often in a less formal or personal setting. She made an announcement about their engagement. The airline made an announcement about the delayed flight.
pronouncement	Used when stating something in a formal or authoritative way, often carrying a sense of finality or importance. The judge's pronouncement ended the trial. His pronouncement on the subject left no room for debate.
decree	Used when referring to an official order issued by a legal authority, often in a context associated with authority or governance. The king issued a royal decree. The city council passed a decree to control pollution.

Examples of usage

The company made a declaration of bankruptcy.
The government's declaration of a state of emergency was met with mixed reactions.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

The word traces back to the Latin 'declaratio', meaning 'to make clear or reveal'.
Declarations have often been used throughout history, including famous ones like the United States Declaration of Independence in 1776.
The concept of declaration emerged during the medieval period, often linked to royal proclamations and treaties.

Political Significance

Declarations often represent a nation's stance or intentions, influencing policy and international relations.
Numerous countries use formal declarations as a way to announce changes in government or constitutional amendments.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in 1948, set a global standard for individual rights and freedoms.

Legal Implications

In legal contexts, a declaration can refer to a document that provides facts or intentions before a court.
Tax declarations are important for individuals and businesses to report their income and comply with laws.
In investments, a declaration of dividends tells shareholders about upcoming payments and the financial health of the company.

Literature and Expression

Declarations can be powerful in literature, often reflecting a character's emotions or intentions.
Famous speeches throughout history often include declarations meant to inspire or provoke change.
The art of declaring has influenced numerous poets and playwrights, making bold statements through their work.

Cultural References

Movies and songs frequently use declarations to symbolize major turning points or emotions.
Many cultures have rituals or ceremonies involving declarations, such as wedding vows or coming-of-age statements.
In popular fiction, characters often make dramatic declarations to indicate love or commitment.

Translations

Translations of the word "declaration" in other languages:

🇵🇹 declaração

🇮🇳 घोषणा

🇩🇪 Erklärung

🇮🇩 pernyataan

🇺🇦 декларація

🇵🇱 deklaracja

🇯🇵 宣言 (せんげん)

🇫🇷 déclaration

🇪🇸 declaración

🇹🇷 beyan

🇰🇷 선언 (seoneon)

🇸🇦 إعلان (i'laan)

🇨🇿 prohlášení

🇸🇰 vyhlásenie

🇨🇳 声明 (shēngmíng)

🇸🇮 izjava

🇮🇸 yfirlýsing

🇰🇿 мәлімдеме

🇬🇪 განცხადება

🇦🇿 bəyanat

🇲🇽 declaración

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,044, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.

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3041 abstract
3042 recall
3043 shut
3044 declaration
3045 crowd
3046 loose
3047 plastic
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