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a rooflike shelter of canvas or other material extending over a doorway, from the top of a window, over a deck, etc., in order to provide protection, as from the sun.
a shelter.
Contemporary Examples

During the protests last year, some students climbed on top of the awning and wrote graffiti all over it.
This Cairo College Campus Is Now a ‘Warzone’ Jonathan Krohn February 17, 2014

Historical Examples

He waited on the carpeted curb beneath the awning until he saw her white evening cloak disappear in the door-way.
The Heart of a Woman Emmuska Orczy, Baroness Orczy

He turned his back deliberately and walked to his own awning.
The Cruise of the Dry Dock T. S. Stribling

When not in use the curtains rolled up to the edge of the awning, which was set on a pipe-frame.
The Adventure Club Afloat Ralph Henry Barbour

And, indeed, patches of darkness had for a moment been passing above the awning of the roof.
His Masterpiece Emile Zola

But the men would sleep on the timbers in the middle of the boat and perhaps they would put up the awning sometimes.
Viking Tales Jennie Hall

He flashed a glance in the direction of the divan under the awning where the Basha slept.
The Sea-Hawk Raphael Sabatini

The girl followed us but stopped beneath the awning of the handsome entrance.
Witch Winnie’s Mystery, or The Old Oak Cabinet Elizabeth W. Champney

Out there under the awning a group of gentlemen stood in earnest talk.
Scaramouche Rafael Sabatini

We have reached blue water—crushed sapphire—and a little breeze is bellying the awning.
From Sea to Sea Rudyard Kipling

noun
a roof of canvas or other material supported by a frame to provide protection from the weather, esp one placed over a doorway or part of a deck of a ship
n.

1624, origin uncertain (first recorded use is by Capt. John Smith), perhaps from Middle French auvans, plural of auvent “a sloping roof,” “itself of doubtful etym[ology]” (OED). A nautical term only until sense of “cover for windows or porch” emerged 1852.