I. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English warnung, from warnian to warn + -ung -ing
1.
a. : the action of one that warns : the action or fact of putting one on his guard by intimating danger, evil consequences, or penalties from an act or course of conduct
give warning
without warning she began to beat him on the head — Sherwood Anderson
b. : the fact or state of being warned
he had warning of his illness
2. : something that warns or serves to warn: as
a. : admonition
b. : an example or case having a deterrent effect
his life will be a warning to others
c. : calling , summons ; also : a summoning bell or other signal
d. : a notice from one or the other of two parties to a business relation (as of landlord and tenant) that it will be terminated at a certain time
e. : a notice advising a student that his academic or social record is unsatisfactory
f. : a notice, bulletin, or signal that serves to caution of the approach of danger
hurricane warning
air raid warning
especially : storm warning
3. : the partial unlocking of a striking mechanism of a clock accompanied by a sound intimating that the clock is about to strike
II. adjective
Etymology: partly from warning (I) ; partly from present participle of warn
: serving as an alarm, signal, summons, or admonition : announcing something imminent or impending or the presence of danger
warning bell
warning shot
warning examples of the old vices — J.G.Frazier
• warn·ing·ly adverb