# yawning

/ˈjɔnɪŋ/ (US) · /jˈɔːnɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/yawning
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

the act of opening your mouth wide and taking a deep breath because you are tired or bored. It is something your body does automatically.

For teachers: an involuntary intake of breath through a wide-open mouth, typically triggered by fatigue, boredom, or drowsiness.

## Examples

- He tried to hide his yawning during the long meeting.
- The sound of someone yawning in the quiet library seemed to trigger a chain reaction among the other students.
- Scientists have long debated the physiological purpose of yawning, with theories ranging from brain cooling to a primitive form of social communication within a group.

## Usage notes

- Often used as an uncountable noun to describe the general action, though 'a yawn' is the preferred countable form for a single instance.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.