warning

1 of 2

noun

warn·​ing ˈwȯr-niŋ How to pronounce warning (audio)
1
: the act of warning : the state of being warned
he had warning of his illness
2
: something that warns or serves to warn
especially : a notice or bulletin that alerts the public to an imminent hazard (such as a tornado, thunderstorm, or flood)

warning

2 of 2

adjective

: serving as an alarm, signal, summons, or admonition
a warning bell
a warning shot
warningly adverb

Examples of warning in a Sentence

Noun She gave me a warning about the difficulties of the job. She issued a stern warning against making changes too quickly. Let that be a warning to you. We had no warning of the dangers that were ahead of us. Without any warning she turned around and ran. The storm struck without warning. I was stopped for speeding, but the policeman just gave me a warning. Adjective usually gave her trademark warning look when the children were getting out of hand
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Stodden, who identifies as non-binary and uses she/they pronouns, issued a trigger warning before announcing the news in a candid Instagram post on Friday. Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024 The warning was issued at 10:06 a.m. on Friday, and the latest update regarding this incident was made available on Friday at 10:43 a.m. Kansas City Star Bot, Kansas City Star, 8 Mar. 2024 The swing also doesn't include a mandatory warning regarding sleep, the Lakewood, N.J., importer stated. Kate Gibson, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2024 Ever since the movie’s release, a conspiracy theory has persisted online that the film is somehow a warning about the widespread disorder to come. Angela Watercutter, WIRED, 8 Mar. 2024 The lawsuit alleged the district did not provide students with instructions or warnings regarding the bubble suits. Theresa Clift, Sacramento Bee, 8 Mar. 2024 Then, suddenly, without warning, Quanny hit the stage with a toddler in his arms, rolling about 35 deep. Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 8 Mar. 2024 Russia also seems focused on building tools to disrupt the delicate house of cards that the U.S. and its allies have set up in space, with recent warnings of nukes in orbit. George Dvorsky / Gizmodo, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2024 The warnings are a sign of growing international pressure on Israel to end or ratchet down its campaign in Gaza, which has killed nearly 30,000 Palestinians and injured more than 70,000, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Hazem Balousha, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2024
Adjective
The bureau also will post more warning notices at 750 livestock sale facilities and review other potential changes to federal regulations. Scott Sonner, Star Tribune, 27 July 2021 In response, statistical authorities around the world could do little but issue warning press releases. Andrew Whitby, Time, 17 Apr. 2020 Privacy advocates have sounded warning bells about Big Brother secretly watching us from the sky. Katy Moeller, idahostatesman, 22 May 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'warning.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English warnyng, warnynge, going back to Old English warnung, wearning, from wearnian "to warn" + -ung, -ing -ing entry 3

Adjective

from attributive use of warning entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1511, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of warning was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near warning

Cite this Entry

“Warning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/warning. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

warning

noun
warn·​ing
ˈwȯr-niŋ
1
: the act of warning : the state of being warned
he had warning of his illness
2
: something that warns
storm warnings
warning adjective
warningly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on warning

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!