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

These forces are now waning, however, adding to the challenges facing the U.S. economy.

From Barron's

The schisms underscore the growing fragility of the nascent coalition in the waning days of its founder.

From The Wall Street Journal

That’s as investors also fret over waning expectations the Fed will make one last rate cut this year.

From MarketWatch

The promotions are a headliner on the Chinese shopping calendar, pulling in billions in sales, but momentum has been waning in recent years as economic headwinds keep consumers cautious.

From The Wall Street Journal

But with the United States shunning the event and appetite for more climate ambition waning among other countries, Brazil is pushing for voluntary action at COP30.

From Barron's