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.
The film series follows groups of people who escape their impending deaths after someone receives a premonition about their doom, saving them from their grisly fate. Leia Mendoza, Variety, 25 July 2025 However, this wasn't an exact premonition of what would happen over the next 17 holes. Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025 Some fans theorized this dream was a premonition of her death and the film employed purposeful symbolism. Mars Salazar, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 Her premonition also saves jazz singer Evie (Natasha Burnett) and her son, the legendary William Bludworth. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 May 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 19 Aug. 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

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