declare Meaning, Definition & Usage

verb state emphatically and authoritatively
- He declared that he needed more money to carry out the task he was charged with
verb announce publicly or officially
announce.
- The President declared war
verb state firmly
- He declared that he was innocent
verb declare to be
hold; adjudge.
- She was declared incompetent
- judge held that the defendant was innocent
verb authorize payments of
- declare dividends
verb designate (a trump suit or no-trump) with the final bid of a hand
verb make a declaration (of dutiable goods) to a customs official
- Do you have anything to declare?
verb proclaim one's support, sympathy, or opinion for or against
- His wife declared at once for moving to the West Coast

F. déclarer, from L. declarare; de + clarare to make clear, clarus, clear, bright. See Clear.

imperfect & past participle Declared present participle & verbal noun Declaring

To make clear; to free from obscurity. Obs. "To declare this a little." Boyle.
To make known by language; to communicate or manifest explicitly and plainly in any way; to exhibit; to publish; to proclaim; to announce.
This day I have begot whom I declare My only Son. Milton.

The heavens declare the glory of God. Ps. xix. 1.
To make declaration of; to assert; to affirm; to set forth; to avow; as, he declares the story to be false.
I the Lord . . . declare things that are right. Isa. xlv. 19.
(Com.) To make full statement of, as goods, etc., for the purpose of paying taxes, duties, etc.

To make a declaration, or an open and explicit avowal; to proclaim one's self; -- often with for or against; as, victory declares against the allies.
Like fawning courtiers, for success they wait, And then come smiling, and declare for fate. Dryden.
(Law) To state the plaintiff's cause of action at law in a legal form; as, the plaintiff declares in trespass.