waning

[ wey-ning ]

adjective

1. decreasing in strength, intensity, etc.:

   Many teens in focus groups expressed waning enthusiasm for social media.

2. declining in power, importance, prosperity, etc.:

   The recent hacking of the retailer’s credit card system will have devastating implications for its already waning business.

3. drawing to a close; approaching an end:

   The bill will likely be passed in the waning days of this legislative session.

4. (of the moon) decreasing in the extent of its illuminated portion after the full moon:

   The crescent of fine white sand, wrapped around the bay, looked like a waning moon.

noun

1. the process of decreasing, declining, or coming to an end:

   The Middle Ages occurred between the waning of the Roman Empire and the beginning of the Renaissance.

2. (of the moon) the process of decreasing in the extent of its illuminated portion after the full moon:

   Onion seeds are planted in the fall, during the waning of the Harvest Moon.

Other Words From

• un·wan·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of waning¹

First recorded before 900; wan(e) ( def ) + -ing ²( def ) for the adjective senses; wan(e) ( def ) + -ing ¹( def ) for the noun senses

Example Sentences

Viewing will also be hampered by the waning gibbous moon at 93% of its full illumination and present in the sky throughout the night.

From BBC

“Trump’s message was: ‘I know you're in decline, I know your numbers are waning.

From BBC

In the waning moments of the final round, Paul dropped his gloves and bowed to Tyson.

From Salon

Where cars sit idle beneath the open sky, trees might one day arch overhead and couples linger in a waning twilight.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump’s recent comments and his decision to just listen to music at a rally provided the starkest picture yet of his waning mental acuity.

From Los Angeles Times