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 mourning—
Arnold Bennett
Arnold Bennett
b
: a period of time during which signs of grief are shown
after a long mourning, resume their ordinary dresses—Henry Reed
Henry ReedExamples 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
The legend Quincy Jones has left the world in mourning.
—Elizabeth Ayoola and Dominique Fluker, Essence, 4 Nov. 2024
This communal moment of mourning and remembering helped heal some of my wounds.
—Grecia Huesca Dominguez, refinery29.com, 30 Oct. 2024
For so many working comedians right now, whatever their politics, the last few years have been ripe for private and sometimes public mourning.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2024
His sudden, tragic death left thousands around the globe in mourning.
—Daysia Tolentino, NBC News, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mourning 
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Elizabeth Ayoola and Dominique Fluker, Essence, 4 Nov. 2024
This communal moment of mourning and remembering helped heal some of my wounds.
—Grecia Huesca Dominguez, refinery29.com, 30 Oct. 2024
For so many working comedians right now, whatever their politics, the last few years have been ripe for private and sometimes public mourning.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2024
His sudden, tragic death left thousands around the globe in mourning.
—Daysia Tolentino, NBC News, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mourning
Dictionary Entries Near mourning
Cite this Entry
“Mourning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mourning. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mourning
noun
mourn·ing
ˈmōr-niŋ 
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
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