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

Reader, this seems like a good time to remind you that drowning is one of the most dangerous dangers to undead animals, and by now, Clare was painfully aware of his waning strength.

From Literature

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

From The Wall Street Journal

Bearish RSI divergence occurred in January and February: the relative strength index made a lower high while price carved out a higher high, suggesting momentum was waning.

From Barron's

Initial relief over rumored talks between Washington and Tehran appeared to be waning.

From Barron's

But what kind of a Jew, with my waning attachment to ritual observance and insistent questioning of Orthodox belief?

From The Wall Street Journal