warning

1 of 3

noun

warn·​ing ˈwȯr-niŋ How to pronounce warning (audio)
Synonyms of warningnext
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 3

adjective

: serving as an alarm, signal, summons, or admonition
a warning bell
a warning shot
warningly
ˈwȯr-niŋ-lē How to pronounce warning (audio)
adverb

warning

3 of 3

present participle of warn

Synonyms of warning

Relevance

Noun

Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
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.
Noun
At his apartment in Isla Verde, one of the island’s busiest tourist areas, and at his restaurant-bar, Calle Sin Salida in San Juan, there is no warning about when the water will vanish or return. — Isabel Rosales, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026 The warnings were issued late Thursday and early Friday as meteorologists monitored lingering weather conditions along the coastline, stemming from remnants of regional tropical storms. — Noe Padilla, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
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

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

Phrases Containing warning

Rhymes for warning

See All Rhymes for warning

Browse Nearby Words

Warner Robins
warning
warning coloration
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Warning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/warning. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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