warning

1 of 2

noun

warn·​ing ˈwȯr-niŋ 

1

: the act of warning : the state of being warned

he had warning of his illness

2

: something that warns or serves to warn

especially : a notice or bulletin that alerts the public to an imminent hazard (such as a tornado, thunderstorm, or flood)

warning

2 of 2

adjective

: serving as an alarm, signal, summons, or admonition

a warning bell

a warning shot

warningly

ˈwȯr-niŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

Noun

• admonishment
• admonition
• alarm
• alarum
• alert
• caution
• forewarning
• heads-up
• notice

Adjective

• admonishing
• admonitory
• cautionary
• cautioning
• exemplary
• monitory
• premonitory

Examples of warning in a Sentence

Noun

She gave me a warning about the difficulties of the job.

She issued a stern warning against making changes too quickly.

Let that be a warning to you.

We had no warning of the dangers that were ahead of us.

Without any warning she turned around and ran.

The storm struck without warning.

I was stopped for speeding, but the policeman just gave me a warning.

Adjective

usually gave her trademark warning look when the children were getting out of hand

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Weather conditions triggered red flag warnings Tuesday in the Northeast and firefighters in California continued to battle a large wildfire that has burned over 20,000 acres. —Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024

After a dry week marked by red flag warnings signaling fire danger and the threat of power shutoffs for some, rain was forecast to shower the Bay Area on and off through the end of the week. —Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 11 Nov. 2024

Adjective

The bureau also will post more warning notices at 750 livestock sale facilities and review other potential changes to federal regulations. —Scott Sonner, Star Tribune, 27 July 2021

In response, statistical authorities around the world could do little but issue warning press releases. —Andrew Whitby, Time, 17 Apr. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English warnyng, warnynge, going back to Old English warnung, wearning, from wearnian "to warn" + -ung, -ing -ing entry 3

Adjective

from attributive use of warning entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1511, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing warning

• a word of warning
• fair warning
• Miranda warning
• warning coloration
• warning sign
• warning track

Kids Definition

warning

noun

warn·​ing

ˈwȯr-niŋ

1

: the act of warning : the state of being warned

he had warning of his illness

2

: something that warns

storm warnings

warning adjective

warningly adverb