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 Word Forms

• unwaning 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

Though the general public is wary of sharks, support for nets appears to be waning.

From BBC

This means the demand for places comes from students themselves - a demand which shows no sign of waning.

From BBC

Those two connected on a 20-yard touchdown in the waning minutes, tying a home opener that had been steadily slipping away from the Chargers in the second half.

From Los Angeles Times

On this waning Friday, the group is saluting one of its number, soon to be moving to Northern California.

From Los Angeles Times

The planned phaseout of state credits is expected to dampen EV sales, which already have slowed due to waning consumer interest and high tariffs on imported cars.

From Los Angeles Times