admonition

noun

ad·​mo·​ni·​tion ˌad-mə-ˈni-shən How to pronounce admonition (audio)
1
: gentle or friendly reproof
remembered the admonition to keep it simple
2
: counsel or warning against fault or oversight
the principal's admonition against bullying

Example Sentences

an admonition to be careful He offered words of advice and admonition.
Recent Examples on the Web Politicians and healthcare functionaries should heed the medical admonition: Do no harm. Steve Forbes, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2023 This incident is a harsh admonition that there is so much more work to be done and many more barriers to break down. Delbert Whetter, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2023 Alicia Sanchez Gill saw one of her old tweets, which urged people to stop using the book as an admonition, resurface. Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2022 Approximately half of the referees would have responded to players saying swear words in a game by issuing a red card (55.7% red card, 25.2% yellow/blue card, 12.1% admonition, and 7.0% no reaction). Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 29 Jan. 2014 Members may only know that Smith’s admonition has trumped cultural assumptions and American dominance, some say, when BYU lifts its beard ban. Peggy Fletcher Stack, The Salt Lake Tribune, 7 Nov. 2022 Thank you so very much for this important admonition. Amy Dickinson, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2022 Thank you so very much for this important admonition. Amy Dickinson, cleveland, 11 Sep. 2022 Thank you so very much for this important admonition. Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'admonition.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ammonicioun, admonicioun, borrowed from Anglo-French amonicion, borrowed from Latin admonitiōn-, admonitiō, from admoni- (variant stem of admonēre "to admonish") + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of admonition was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near admonition

Cite this Entry

“Admonition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/admonition. Accessed 21 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

admonition

noun
ad·​mo·​ni·​tion ˌad-mə-ˈnish-ən How to pronounce admonition (audio)
: a gentle or friendly criticism or warning

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