mourning

noun

mourn·​ing ˈmȯr-niŋ How to pronounce mourning (audio)
1
: the act of sorrowing
She is still in mourning for her dead husband.
2
a
: an outward sign (such as black clothes or an armband) of grief for a person's death
lots of people there, and only one man in full mourningArnold Bennett
b
: a period of time during which signs of grief are shown
after a long mourning, resume their ordinary dressesHenry Reed

Examples of mourning in a Sentence

a day of national mourning She is still in mourning for her dead husband. The whole town was in mourning. a period of deep mourning His widow was dressed in mourning.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Despite the order from Biden, 82, both Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and now-President Trump, 78, fought to have the flags raised for the inauguration, which fell within the 30-day mourning period. Lizzie Hyman, People.com, 21 Jan. 2025 Listen to this article Loading your audio article The Plainville community is in mourning after losing a longtime member of its police force on Saturday. Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 21 Jan. 2025 Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' order to fly flags at full staff for Donald Trump's inauguration during the mourning period for Jimmy Carter has been panned by the Miami Herald for prioritizing politics over tradition. Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025 President Biden ordered a 30-day mourning period for the Democrat, who lived to be 100 years old. Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 13 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for mourning 

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mourning was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near mourning

Cite this Entry

“Mourning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mourning. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

mourning

noun
mourn·​ing ˈmōr-niŋ How to pronounce mourning (audio)
ˈmȯr-
1
: the act of grieving
2
: an outward sign (as black clothes or a black arm band) of grief for a person's death
to wear mourning
3
: a period of time during which signs of grief are shown
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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