- present participle of dawn.
dawning
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
“There’s just a dawning understanding of broader American consciousness about caregiving and aging. It’s a massive infrastructure issue and economic issue that will impact all of us in some way.”
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 16, 2026
Graham Burnett, a history professor at Princeton University, sees "the dawning of an authentic movement," similar to the birth of the environmental movement in the 1960s, which led to landmark environmental protections.
From Barron's ● Apr. 22, 2026
This might be a dawning moment, when the golfing world realises that someone capable of winning a record-equalling 82 PGA Tour titles might not be the best qualified to shape its future.
From BBC ● Mar. 30, 2026
It even overwhelms his dawning understanding of Venice’s spreading cholera outbreak, as he concludes he would rather stay on vacation than save the boy—or himself.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 4, 2026
With Teller’s dawning realization that he might not be slotted in for the role of supreme authority at Livermore, his old habit of undermine-and-conquer returned.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
I don't remember how early in the game the thing began," he resumed, ignoring Grislow's joking interruption, "but away back in the dimmest dawnings the number seven began to have a curious significance for me.
From The City of Numbered Days by Francis Lynde
There were already some dawnings of Christianity in this district.
From Pioneers and Founders or, Recent Workers in the Mission field by Charlotte Mary Yonge
Mrs. Willis hailed with pleasure any little dawnings of real thought in her girls’ prize essays.
From A World of Girls The Story of a School by L. T. Meade
Do I feel some dawnings of the heavenly light, earnests and antepasts of the full day of glory?
From Thoughts for the Quiet Hour by Various
"Coz!" she cried, placing her fore finger on her mouth reprovingly, yet pleased and smiling with the first dawnings of bright returning hope.
From Captain Kyd (Vol 1 of 2) or, The Wizard of the Sea by Jonathon Holt Ingraham
