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

The goal is to revive interest in the franchise for a new generation, rather than continuing to coast off waning nostalgia.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

“Gold’s rally has become a mirror of waning confidence in the old financial order,” he added.

Read more on Barron's

Macron has asked him to make a last-ditch plan for stability by the end of Wednesday - but support for the French president appears to be waning even among his allies.

Read more on BBC

Turkey is also eager to benefit from an opening created by waning Russian influence.

Read more on BBC

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

Read more on BBC