dawn
noun
the first appearance of daylight in the morning.
was dawning
-
past progressiveof dawn.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A sizable portion of the generation born after World War II imagined a new age was dawning in the Golden State.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 2026
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — As the coronavirus pandemic swelled around the 160-bed Mayo Clinic hospital, the day was dawning auspiciously.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 30, 2020
McClatchy — the heavily indebted owner of 30 daily papers, including the Miami Herald and Kansas City Star — filed for bankruptcy reorganization just as the pandemic was dawning.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 8, 2020
He had begun to make a habit of dropping in on national day receptions, his way of telling the world that a new day was dawning in the Soviet Union.
From Time ● Oct. 10, 2017
“Why did he—?” He paused, as though something was dawning on him; then his expression contorted with rage.
From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray
