Origin: Latin suffix -tion
Declaration has 7 different meanings across 1 category:
a statement that is emphatic and explicit (spoken or written)
"After years of silence, she finally made her declaration by staring directly at him and saying exactly what she felt without any hesitation."
(law) unsworn statement that can be admitted in evidence in a legal transaction
"his declaration of innocence"
a statement of taxable goods or of dutiable properties
"After returning from his trip abroad, he submitted a declaration listing all the luxury items and electronics he had brought into the country for customs inspection."
(contract bridge) the highest bid becomes the contract setting the number of tricks that the bidder must make
"After South's bold declaration of six hearts, the team knew they were locked into making twelve tricks immediately."
a formal public statement
"the government made an announcement about changes in the drug war"
"a declaration of independence"
a formal expression by a meeting; agreed to by a vote
"The delegates adopted a declaration during their summit that called for immediate global cooperation on climate change."
A written or oral indication of a fact, opinion, intention, belief, etc.
"After years of silence, he finally made his declaration of love during the surprise proposal."
In plain English: A declaration is a formal statement where someone clearly says what they believe or intend to do.
"The formal declaration of independence was signed by the delegates in 1776."
Usage: Use declaration to describe a formal or official statement announcing facts, intentions, or beliefs, such as declaring war or filing tax information. It emphasizes the act of making something known publicly rather than just stating it privately.
The word declaration comes from the Old French declaration, which was borrowed from the Latin dēclārātiōnem. Its original meaning relates to the act of declaring or making something known.