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
While the family debates on what is the most culturally appropriate mourning ritual, Russia begins its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, turning their lives upside down.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 20 Sep. 2025
The organization posted an online statement of mourning.
—Kathy McCormack, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2025
On that day, students across America must rally not in mourning, but in defiance.
—Ayaan Hirsi Ali, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Vance welcomed the debate over Kirk’s legacy but urged conservatives to avoid infighting for the time being and to unite in mourning.
—Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mourning
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Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 20 Sep. 2025
The organization posted an online statement of mourning.
—Kathy McCormack, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2025
On that day, students across America must rally not in mourning, but in defiance.
—Ayaan Hirsi Ali, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Vance welcomed the debate over Kirk’s legacy but urged conservatives to avoid infighting for the time being and to unite in mourning.
—Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mourning
Cite this Entry
“Mourning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mourning. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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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