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

In many countries, this serves as a sign of mourning and respect for those who have died. —Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025

Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk is being honored with one of the nation’s most visible symbols of mourning. —Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Sep. 2025

But make no mistake about this, the mourning process for this franchise has begun. —Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025

Officials have declared a day of mourning in both Piacenza and Milan. —Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 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