waning

American  

[wey-ning] / weɪ nɪŋ /

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.

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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

Etymology

Origin of waning

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

He led all rushers with 69 yards, however, and in the waning moments had his team in position to score the game’s only offensive touchdown.

From Los Angeles Times

The European Union faced history twice in the waning days of 2025.

From Barron's

The European Union faced history twice in the waning days of 2025.

From Barron's

As 2025 closes out, there is at least one prediction that can be safely made: Our romance with Jane Austen shows no signs of waning.

From Los Angeles Times

Compounding the difficulty in addressing such complex matters is what Bonham described as waning civility in public discourse.

From Los Angeles Times