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.

---

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

Explanation

If the moon was full, and now it's getting slimmer each night, it's a waning moon: it's getting gradually smaller. Waning can be used for anything that diminishes, like the brightness of the sunlight in the late afternoon, your interest in cartoons, or your influence over your teenage daughter's fashion choices. It comes from the Old English verb wǫnian, which means "to lessen."

Example Sentences

The memory-chip industry is notoriously cyclical, with past booms followed by busts due to increased supply hitting waning demand.

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

Taylor Frankie Paul, a breakout from “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” brought buzz to a waning reality franchise.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

It’s no mistake that “Tow” was released just five days after the Oscars, when the film can still capitalize on awards season’s waning buzz without negatively influencing Academy voting.

From Salon • Mar. 22, 2026

And like all of television, reality is facing splintered and waning audiences so the decibel level of that conversation-sparking is often dialed way up.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026

‘I shall not stay there long. My way lies now eastward. Look for me in Edoras, ere the waning of the moon!’

From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien