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
One was the way Baker scampered off after his second win with a casual wave, an unconscious signal that it was dawning on him that the evening’s momentum might bring him back up there again.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 3, 2025
Now, watching his daughter play with a plastic truck with another child, the reality of their situation was dawning on him.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 13, 2023
A new day was dawning in another sense as well.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 11, 2023
The day was dawning, and the shepherd urged his sheep in the direction of the sun.
From "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho
