pronouncement

Everyday

1. A formal or official statement, often one that announces a decision. tree →
2. A statement made in a grand way, as if it must be obeyed. tree →

In the lessons

In history and news, kings, judges and governments make pronouncements. In stories, a grand pronouncement can be funny: the Queen of Hearts's «Off with her head!» is a famous pronouncement.

Examples

• The king made a pronouncement from the palace balcony. tree →
• The Queen of Hearts' pronouncement was: «Off with her head!» tree →
• The head teacher's pronouncement about mobile phones surprised us. tree →
• The judge's pronouncement was final. tree →
• Toad made grand pronouncements about his own cleverness. tree →
• The pronouncement was printed in all the newspapers. tree →

Note

From «pronounce» (to say officially, or to say a word's sounds). Spelling trap: pronouncement keeps the «ou», but pronunciation drops it.