Introduction. This is the first page in a series of pages on Washington special purpose districts. The page discusses the meaning of the term special purpose district and sets out criteria to distinguish special districts with autonomous governing bodies from other types of districts.
verb (used with object), declared, declaring. 1. to make known or state clearly, especially in explicit or formal terms: to declare one's position in a controversy. 2. to announce officially; proclaim: to declare a state of emergency; to declare a winner.
If you declare victory, you are ending a war by saying you have won. Hopefully, the other side agrees, or your troops might declare you a fool. To declare is to state clearly and officially. In elections, the government body that counts the votes declares the winner. Until the declaration is made, the results are not official. When you are traveling, you might be asked if you have anything to declare.