warning

1 of 2

noun

warn·​ing ˈwȯr-niŋ How to pronounce warning (audio)
1
: the act of warning : the state of being warned
he had warning of his illness
2
: something that warns or serves to warn
especially : a notice or bulletin that alerts the public to an imminent hazard (such as a tornado, thunderstorm, or flood)

warning

2 of 2

adjective

: serving as an alarm, signal, summons, or admonition
a warning bell
a warning shot
warningly adverb

Examples of warning in a Sentence

Noun She gave me a warning about the difficulties of the job. She issued a stern warning against making changes too quickly. Let that be a warning to you. We had no warning of the dangers that were ahead of us. Without any warning she turned around and ran. The storm struck without warning. I was stopped for speeding, but the policeman just gave me a warning. Adjective usually gave her trademark warning look when the children were getting out of hand
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Throughout the town hall, Harris often brought her answers back to warnings against the former president and his fitness for office. Erin Doherty, Axios, 24 Oct. 2024 Next up comes intelligent warnings to flag up potentially dangerous links, something that has already rolled to some geographic locations and will, Google said, be expanding globally before the end of the year. Davey Winder, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
Adjective
The bureau also will post more warning notices at 750 livestock sale facilities and review other potential changes to federal regulations. Scott Sonner, Star Tribune, 27 July 2021 In response, statistical authorities around the world could do little but issue warning press releases. Andrew Whitby, Time, 17 Apr. 2020 See all Example Sentences for warning 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'warning.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English warnyng, warnynge, going back to Old English warnung, wearning, from wearnian "to warn" + -ung, -ing -ing entry 3

Adjective

from attributive use of warning entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1511, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of warning was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near warning

Cite this Entry

“Warning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/warning. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

warning

noun
warn·​ing
ˈwȯr-niŋ
1
: the act of warning : the state of being warned
he had warning of his illness
2
: something that warns
storm warnings
warning adjective
warningly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on warning

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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