English Reference
verb · noun

declaring

v. · n.
US /dɪˈkɫɛɹɪŋ/ UK /dɪklˈeəɹɪŋ/ declar·ing

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.stating something in a firm, public, or official way.

    v.making a formal or explicit statement of fact, opinion, or intent.

    Simple

    The government is declaring a state of emergency after the heavy floods.

    In context

    By declaring their independence, the small territory sought to establish its own legal framework and international recognition.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Formal Law

    v.telling a customs officer or tax office about goods or money you have.

    v.making a full statement of taxable goods or income to the relevant authorities.

    Simple

    Are you declaring any alcohol or tobacco at the border?

    In context

    The passenger was fined for not declaring the expensive jewellery he had purchased during his trip abroad.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced Formal

    n.the act of making something known to the public.

    n.the action of making a formal announcement or proclamation.

    Simple

    The declaring of the winner took place late at night.

    In context

    The formal declaring of the results was delayed by several hours due to a technical error in the counting system.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said this week that troops would also remain in occupied “security zones” in Lebanon and Syria, declaring there will be a continued Israeli military presence across all three fronts.

Al Jazeera· 16 Aug 2026

After they won the All-Ireland title in 1951, the story goes that a local priest cursed them, declaring they would not win another final until every member of that team had died.

The Guardian· 9 Aug 2026

Etymology 1

From Middle English declaring, declarynge, equivalent to declare + -ing (present participle ending).

Etymology 2

From Middle English declaring, declaryng, declaringe, declarynge, equivalent to declare + -ing (gerund ending).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Middle English declaring
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated