warning
Americannoun
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the act or utterance of one who warns or the existence, appearance, sound, etc., of a thing that warns.
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something that serves to warn, give notice, or caution.
We fired a warning at the intruders.
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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.
adjective
noun
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a hint, intimation, threat, etc, of harm or danger
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advice to beware or desist
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an archaic word for notice
adjective
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(prenominal) intended or serving to warn
a warning look
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(of the coloration of certain distasteful or poisonous animals) having conspicuous markings, which predators recognize and learn to avoid; aposematic
Other Word Forms
- warningly adverb
Etymology
Origin of warning
First recorded before 900; Middle English (noun); Old English war(e)nung “precaution”; warn, -ing 1, -ing 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Public health officials are warning pet owners to take precautions for themselves and their four-legged family members.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026
A red warning is in place in Crete, mainly in the west and south, from midday until late at night on Thursday.
From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026
Bear markets rarely emerge without warning, not that one is necessarily at hand, but subtle signs of distribution often build quietly before becoming more pronounced.
From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026
Advocacy groups including Equal Rights Advocates, Child USA and Sanctuary for Families have backed her efforts, warning that allowing retaliatory defamation claims to proceed could chill survivors from coming forward.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026
It raised its great head, looked at me, and its body expanded as it gave a warning hiss.
From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
