declaration

declaration — noun

1. a formal spoken or written statement in which a person or organization publicly

1.nounB1
Definition

a formal spoken or written statement in which a person or organization publicly announces a decision, plan, or set of beliefs — for example, a government issuing a declaration of independence, or a company making a declaration of its environmental goals.

Example

The mayor made a declaration of support for the new hospital project.

make a declaration of [something]

Adisa read a declaration of human rights at the school assembly.

Common collocations
  • make a declaration
  • issue a declaration
  • sign a declaration
  • joint declaration
  • declaration of independence
  • declaration of war
  • declaration of support
  • declaration of intent
Synonyms
  • announcement

    less formal; can refer to any public or private statement of news

  • proclamation

    more ceremonial or official, often issued by a government or ruler

  • statement

    broader and less weighty; can be personal or official

Grammar Patterns

make/issue/sign + declaration

declaration + of + noun

declaration + that-clause

Usage Note

Often paired with make, issue, or sign. A declaration is more formal and weighty than an ordinary announcement — it typically involves a public commitment or the stating of principles.

Common Mistakes

The president gave a declaration on television.
The president made a declaration on television.
the standard verb with declaration is make or issue, not give.
I heard a declaration about the weather.
I heard a weather forecast.
declaration is too formal for everyday information; use forecast, report, or announcement.

2. in cricket, a decision by the batting side to stop batting before all of its pla

2.noun
Definition

in cricket, a decision by the batting side to stop batting before all of its players have had a turn, because the captain believes the team has already scored enough runs to win the match.

Example

The cricket captain called a declaration when the team reached 450 runs.

call a declaration (cricket)

Jude, the cricket captain, called a declaration to stop the team batting with a lead of 300 runs.

call a declaration to stop batting early

Common collocations
  • call a declaration
  • declare an innings
  • late declaration
  • bold declaration

Grammar Patterns

call + a declaration

declare + an innings

Usage Note

This sense is used almost exclusively in cricket, a sport common in the UK, Australia, India, and other Commonwealth countries. The verb form is declare: the captain declares the innings closed.

3. an official written document in which you provide information required by law, s

3.nounB1
Definition

an official written document in which you provide information required by law, such as the value of goods you are bringing into a country, your income for tax purposes, or the condition of something you want to insure.

Example

You must complete a customs declaration before bringing goods into the country.

complete a customs declaration

Trang signed a written declaration stating the true value of her jewellery.

Common collocations
  • customs declaration
  • tax declaration
  • written declaration
  • file a declaration
  • complete a declaration
  • declaration form
  • declaration of value
Synonyms
  • return

    specifically a tax return; narrower in scope

  • statement

    more general; a declaration is a specific type of statement required by law

  • filing

    the act of submitting a declaration, not the document itself

Grammar Patterns

complete/file/make + declaration

customs/tax + declaration

written + declaration

Usage Note

Frequently used in fixed phrases such as customs declaration, tax declaration, and customs declaration form. The purpose is always to give official, often legally required, facts about money, goods, or property.

Common Mistakes

I made a declaration to the teacher about my homework.
I gave an explanation to the teacher about my homework.
declaration in this sense is for official/legal purposes, not everyday explanations.

Word family

  • declare
    verbB1
  • declared
    adjectiveB2
  • declarative
    adjectiveC1
  • declarant
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Declaration, announcement, proclamation, and statement all refer to making information known, but they differ in formality and weight. A declaration is a formal, often written public statement about an important decision or principle — such as a declaration of independence or a declaration of war. An announcement is more general and can be about everyday news, from a wedding to a product launch. A proclamation is highly ceremonial, usually issued by a government or ruler and often delivered with legal or symbolic force. A statement is the broadest term — it can be official or personal, spoken or written. For example, a company makes a declaration of its environmental commitments, announces a new product, while a government issues a proclamation for a national holiday.

announcement ↗proclamationstatement ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • make a declaration
  • issue a declaration
  • sign a declaration
  • file a declaration
  • complete a declaration

Prepositions

  • declaration of
  • declaration about
  • declaration on
  • declaration regarding

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Declaration comes from the Latin verb declarare, meaning 'to make clear' or 'to reveal', formed from de- (intensive prefix) and clarare (to make clear), which in turn comes from clarus meaning 'clear'. The word entered English in the 14th century through Old French declarer, first used in legal and official contexts. Over time it broadened to cover any formal public announcement.