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.
All of this terrified his father, Charlie, a former cop who had a premonition that something would go wrong. Seth Wickersham, The Atlantic, 8 Sep. 2025 Indeed, their many years together reveal themselves as the vital heart of Romano’s own artistic output, as scattered throughout these pages appear pieces of her earlier books and, especially, poems, which come to assume the aura of dreamlike premonitions. Brian Robert Moore september 5, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025 But with Wednesday still having premonitions and dangers still lurking around Jericho, a little help from the dead might be in order. Andrew McGowan, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025 Wednesday is characteristically unsympathetic and tells her mom the new premonition. Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 3 Sep. 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 9 Sep. 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!