warning

[ wawr-ning ]

noun

1. the act or utterance of one who warns or the existence, appearance, sound, etc., of a thing that warns.
2. something that serves to warn, give notice, or caution:

   We fired a warning at the intruders.

   Synonyms: presage, augury, portent, sign, omen, advice, admonition, caution

3. Meteorology. an announcement from the U.S. National Weather Service alerting the public that a storm or other weather-related hazard is imminent and that immediate steps should be taken to protect lives and property. Compare advisory ( def 5 ), storm warning ( def 2 ), watch ( def 20 ).

adjective

1. serving to warn, advise, caution:

   a warning bell.

warning

/ ˈwɔːnɪŋ /

noun

1. a hint, intimation, threat, etc, of harm or danger
2. advice to beware or desist
3. See notice
   an archaic word for notice

adjective

1. prenominal intended or serving to warn

   a warning look

2. (of the coloration of certain distasteful or poisonous animals) having conspicuous markings, which predators recognize and learn to avoid; aposematic

Derived Forms

• ˈwarningly, adverb

Other Words From

• warning·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of warning¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English (noun); Old English war(e)nung “precaution”; warn, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

According to Fischer, the warning system will be monitored through the Office of the Inspector General.

From Vox

It would also require platforms give news publishers 28 days advance warning of any changes to their algorithms that might affect the placement of news.

From Digiday

Many Americans appear to be taking those warnings seriously.

From Fortune

As shown in the figures above and the chart below, console makers have usually given the public more warning of their launch plans than they're set to this year.

From Ars Technica

The announcement came about a month after the city removed two statues of Christopher Columbus — without warning and in the middle of the night — following protests.

From ProPublica

There were also crashes not due to either mechanical or human error but to a lack of warning of dangerous conditions.

From The Daily Beast

Suddenly, without warning, the whole feeling of the scene changes.

From The Daily Beast

The government continues to call for calm while warning people to be on their guard.

From The Daily Beast

But we both know the warning signs and know what to do if that should happen.

From The Daily Beast

We prefer to wave away the warning signs; like The Interview, Mulholland Drive was comfortably downplayed as over-the-top satire.

From The Daily Beast

Is it true that whenever we are about to do an ill or unjust deed a shadow of the fruits it will bring comes over us as a warning?

From Project Gutenberg

His repeated coughing seemed a constant warning that at any moment he might be vanquished in the struggle for becoming silence.

From Project Gutenberg

I suppose that to most men such a warning would be a direct incitement to make the attempt.

From Project Gutenberg

Time and time again he had given warning of the approach of guerrillas, only to have his master meet them as friends.

From Project Gutenberg

On this the royal band of music would strike up its liveliest airs, and a great bell would toll its evening warning.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• admonition
• advice
• alarm
• alert
• caution
• example
• guidance
• hint
• indication
• information
• lesson
• notification
• prediction
• recommendation
• sign
• signal
• suggestion
• threat
• word