premonition

noun

pre·​mo·​ni·​tion ˌprē-mə-ˈni-shən How to pronounce premonition (audio) ˌpre- How to pronounce premonition (audio)
1
: previous notice or warning : forewarning
2
: anticipation of an event without conscious reason : presentiment

Examples of premonition in a Sentence

She had a premonition that he would call. she had a premonition that her cat would somehow get hurt that day
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.
But she’s overcome by fear, a premonition that catastrophe is on the way. John Bleasdale, Variety, 3 Nov. 2024 The current political season, dense with incident and overcast with grim premonitions, feels more difficult than usual to take in at just a glance. Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024 After watching tape of the Toreros defense during the week, Adebayo had what amounted to a premonition. Dean Spiros, Twin Cities, 26 Oct. 2024 The supermarket gave him a premonition of something sinister to come. Harmony Holiday, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for premonition 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English premunition, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin premunition-, premunitio, alteration of Late Latin praemonitio, from Latin praemonēre to warn in advance, from prae- + monēre to warn — more at mind

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of premonition was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near premonition

Cite this Entry

“Premonition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/premonition. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

premonition

noun
pre·​mo·​ni·​tion ˌprē-mə-ˈnish-ən How to pronounce premonition (audio) ˌprem-ə- How to pronounce premonition (audio)
: a feeling that something is going to happen
a premonition of disaster
premonitory
pri-ˈmän-ə-ˌtōr-ē
-ˌtȯr-
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on premonition

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