plural notices
1
a
: information that tells you or warns you about something that is going to happen
Please give us enough notice to prepare for your arrival.
They gave no advance notice that they were moving. [=they did not tell anyone that they were moving before they did it]
Terms of the agreement are subject to change without notice. [=terms of the agreement may be changed without telling you before they are changed]
The beach is closed until further notice. [=until there is an announcement saying that it is open]
I received written notice that my bank account will be credited. [=I received a letter telling me that my bank account will be credited]
The senator served notice [=made it known] that he will be opposing the new regulations.
With the success of her first film, she served notice [=showed] that she is a serious and talented director.
b
: a statement telling someone that an agreement, job, etc., will end soon
She gave her landlord notice (that she is moving next month).
I gave (my employer) two weeks' notice. [=I told my employer that I would be quitting my job in two weeks]
My boss gave me two weeks' notice. [=my boss told me that I would be losing my job in two weeks]
2
: attention that people give to someone or something
Her red dress attracted notice. [=her red dress made people look at her; people noticed her red dress]
The band first came to public notice in 1991. [=the public first heard about the band in 1991]
The error escaped my notice. [=I did not notice the error]
Take no notice of them. [=ignore them]
No one took much notice of her [=no one paid much attention to her] at the party.
The team has been playing better recently, and people are starting to (sit up and) take notice. [=are starting to notice and give attention to the team's improved play]
He brought the problem to my notice. [=he brought the problem to my attention; he told me about the problem]
3
: a written or printed statement that gives information
Notices were sent to parents about the school trip.
The notice [=sign] said, "BEACH CLOSED."
Did you see the notice about the meeting?
Newspapers print notices of marriages and deaths.
4
: a short piece of writing that gives an opinion about a play, book, etc.
The play received good notices. [=reviews]
notices; noticed; noticing
: to become aware of (something or someone) by seeing, hearing, etc.
He noticed his friend sitting at the next table. = He noticed that his friend was sitting at the next table.
She noticed a smell of gas.
You didn't notice that I got my hair cut.
She noticed me leaving the meeting early.
The police noticed [=observed] a connection between the murders.
I noticed an error in the book.
The problem was first noticed several days ago.
I couldn't help noticing the spot on his tie. = I couldn't help but notice the spot on his tie. [=I saw the spot even though I wasn't trying to look for it]
Cite this Entry
“Notice.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/notice. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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