premonition

noun

pre·​mo·​ni·​tion ˌprē-mə-ˈni-shən How to pronounce premonition (audio) ˌpre- How to pronounce premonition (audio)
1
: previous notice or warning : forewarning
2
: anticipation of an event without conscious reason : presentiment

Examples of premonition in a Sentence

She had a premonition that he would call. she had a premonition that her cat would somehow get hurt that day
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Her infirmity, Lurie says, began in July, 1953, but tremors of premonition course through her work from first to last, as though sickness were naturally expected to arrive, like a punctual guest. Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025 But the vague premonition wouldn’t leave. Marguerite Reiss, Outdoor Life, 9 Oct. 2025 Whenever the two former University of South Carolina teammates would chat during Week 5, Dowdle would have a premonition. Mike Kaye october 6, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2025 Each movie centered on a character who has a premonition of a horrific and deadly event. Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for premonition

Word History

Etymology

Middle English premunition, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin premunition-, premunitio, alteration of Late Latin praemonitio, from Latin praemonēre to warn in advance, from prae- + monēre to warn — more at mind

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of premonition was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Premonition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/premonition. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

premonition

noun
pre·​mo·​ni·​tion ˌprē-mə-ˈnish-ən How to pronounce premonition (audio) ˌprem-ə- How to pronounce premonition (audio)
: a feeling that something is going to happen
a premonition of disaster
premonitory
pri-ˈmän-ə-ˌtōr-ē
-ˌtȯr-
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on premonition

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!