verb (used with object), de·clared, de·clar·ing.
- to make known or state clearly, especially in explicit or formal terms: to declare one’s position in a controversy.
- to announce officially; proclaim: to declare a state of emergency; to declare a winner.
- to state emphatically: He declared that the allegation was a lie.
- to manifest; reveal; show: Her attendance at the rally declared her political allegiance.
- to make due statement of, especially goods for duty or income for taxation.
- to make (a dividend) payable.
- Bridge. to bid (a trump suit or no-trump).
verb (used without object), de·clared, de·clar·ing.
- to make a declaration.
- to proclaim oneself (usually followed by for or against): He declared against the proposal.
- Cricket. (of a team) to surrender a turn at bat in an innings before ten players are put out.
verb (mainly tr)
- (may take a clause as object) to make clearly known or announce officiallyto declare one’s interests; war was declared
- to state officially that (a person, fact, etc) is as specifiedhe declared him fit
- (may take a clause as object) to state emphatically; assert
- to show, reveal, or manifestthe heavens declare the glory of God
- (intr; often foll by for or against) to make known one’s choice or opinion
- to make a complete statement of (dutiable goods, etc)
- (also intr) cards
- to display (a card or series of ards) on the table so as to add to one’s score
- to decide (the trump suit) by making the final bid
- (intr) cricket to close an innings voluntarily before all ten wickets have fallen
- to authorize the payment of (a dividend) from corporate net profit
early 14c., from Old French declarer “explain, elucidate,” or directly from Latin declarare “make clear, reveal, disclose, announce,” from de- intensive prefix (see de-) + clarare “clarify,” from clarus “clear” (see clear (adj.)). Related: Declared; declaring.