yearning

noun

yearn·​ing ˈyər-niŋ How to pronounce yearning (audio)
: a tender or urgent longing
a yearning for justice

Examples of yearning in a Sentence

had a sudden yearning for something sweet
Recent Examples on the Web The movie’s opulent sets and Giuseppe Rotunno’s limpid cinematography transmit a palpable yearning for the gilded palaces and gala balls of a bygone era. Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2024 Cielo is open Tuesday-Sunday, 5:30-10 p.m. For those yearning for real Neapolitan pizza and freshly made pasta in the South Bay, the beloved Doppio Zero Italian restaurant, pizzeria and bar that has thrilled Mountain View diners for the last 10 years just opened a location in Campbell. Laura Ness, The Mercury News, 2 June 2024 There's even some hint of yearning for an apocalyptic event to restart the world. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 30 May 2024 The chilled mountain oasis, usually so close at hand, would elude a population yearning for fresh air. Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 20 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for yearning 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'yearning.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of yearning was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near yearning

Cite this Entry

“Yearning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yearning. Accessed 10 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

yearning

noun
yearn·​ing
: a tender or eager longing

More from Merriam-Webster on yearning

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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