waning moon

noun

1. the moon at any time after the full moon and before the new moon, so called because its illuminated area is decreasing.

Word History and Origins

Origin of waning moon¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English

Example Sentences

“It must be done before the waning moon or her powers will be too strong and she will be free to terrorize Ravenskill once more,” said Mr. Dimblewit.

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“The notes say a Nightbeast emerges exactly six months from the beginning of its hibernation period, and it prefers to do so on the waning moon,” said Valley.

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“You should see it when there is a waning moon,” the Uncle said almost wistfully.

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She added that unlike most Jewish holidays, which start on the full moon, Hanukkah begins on the waning moon and continues through the dark moon.

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Day 3 carries us through some of the week’s calmest pools, but even here there are highlights: our bright orange rafts drifting dreamlike over crystalline green waters, a waning moon rising over a ridge, Rube actually mooning me from a raft as I take my 200th photo of the day.

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When To Use

What is a waning moon?

The moon is called a waning moon when it is in the phase in which its visible surface area is getting smaller. A waning moon occurs between a full moon (when the visible surface is fully round and lit up) and a new moon (when the surface that faces Earth is completely covered in shadow).To wane is to decrease in some way. A moon is any natural satellite that orbits a planet, and the moon is Earth’s only natural satellite.While the moon could be said to be a waning moon at any time between a full moon and a new moon, a waning moon is frequently depicted as a crescent shape.