Waxing and Waning Moon

What is a 'Waxing or Waning Moon'?

A waxing moon is the period when the Moon's illuminated portion appears to be growing, from the new moon to the full moon. The term "waxing" comes from the Old English word for "to grow or increase" and signifies that the amount of the Moon's visible surface that is lit by the sun is increasing each night. The phases of the waxing moon include the waxing crescent, first quarter, and waxing gibbous, all leading up to the full moon. 

A waning moon is when the illuminated portion of the moon is getting smaller each night, progressing from a full moon to a new moon. This period of the lunar cycle begins after the full moon and includes the waning gibbous and waning crescent phases, during which the dark portion of the moon becomes larger until it is no longer visible at the new moon.