mourning

noun

mourn·​ing ˈmȯr-niŋ 

1

: the act of sorrowing

She is still in mourning for her dead husband.

2

a

: an outward sign (such as black clothes or an armband) of grief for a person's death

Lots of people there, and only one man in full mourning.

—Arnold Bennett

b

: a period of time during which signs of grief are shown

… after a long mourning, resume their ordinary dresses.

—Henry Reed

Examples of mourning in a Sentence

a day of national mourning

She is still in mourning for her dead husband.

The whole town was in mourning.

a period of deep mourning

His widow was dressed in mourning.

Recent Examples on the Web

Albanese also announced there would be a day of reflection for the victims on December 21, when flags on all New South Wales and Australian government buildings would be flown at half-staff, and a national day of mourning in the new year. —Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025

Elsewhere, Neytiri still dons her ceremonial mourning face paint, while Jake has become overly protective of his family and ignores his own grief. —Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Dec. 2025

Thus, Fire and Ash has a dark pall over its proceedings; the protagonists are still in mourning and planning courses of vengeance. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 19 Dec. 2025

In a time of mourning and darkness, Moscowitz said the menorah car parade through the streets of Chicago – like the story of Hanukkah – shows the power of light over darkness. —Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mourning

• go into mourning
• mourning cloak
• mourning dove

Rhymes for mourning

• corning
• horning
• morning
• scorning
• warning
• adorning
• forewarning
• midmorning

Kids Definition

mourning

noun

mourn·​ing ˈmōr-niŋ 

ˈmȯr-

1

: the act of grieving

2

: an outward sign (as black clothes or a black arm band) of grief for a person's death

to wear mourning

3

: a period of time during which signs of grief are shown