going

American  

[goh-ing] / ˈgoʊ ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of leaving or departing; departure.

   a safe going and quick return.

2. the condition of surfaces, as those of roads, for walking or driving.

   After the heavy rain, the going was bad.

3. progress; advancement.

   With such slow going, the work is behind schedule.

4. Usually goings. behavior; conduct; deportment.

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adjective

1. moving or working, as machinery.

2. active, alive, or existing.

3. continuing to operate or do business, especially in a successful manner.

   a going company.

4. current; prevalent; usual.

   What is the going price of good farmland in this area?

5. leaving; departing.

idioms

1. going away, by a wide margin, especially as established in the late stages of a contest.

   The champion won the bout going away.

2. get going, to begin; get started.

3. going on,

   1. nearly; almost.

      It's going on four o'clock.

   2. happening.

      What's going on here?

   3. continuing; lasting.

      That party has been going on all night.

going British  

/ ˈɡəʊɪŋ /

noun

1. a departure or farewell

2. the condition of a surface such as a road or field with regard to walking, riding, etc

   muddy going

3. informal speed, progress, etc

   we made good going on the trip

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adjective

1. thriving (esp in the phrase a going concern )

2. current or accepted, as from past negotiations or commercial operation

   the going rate for electricians

   the going value of the firm

3. (postpositive) available

   the best going

4. a statement by an auctioneer that the bidding has finished

Etymology

Origin of going

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; go ¹, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

The Terner Center said going to multiple agencies for needed funding adds costs because developers have to endure higher legal, staffing and compliance costs to manage additional applications and contracts.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

"The evidence suggests it is going to be more expensive."

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

Executives, though, said on a call with analysts that the bank’s exposure to nonbank loans is low risk, and that they expect no losses going forward.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

“This is real relief going to working Americans and their families,” IRS CEO Frank Bisignano said at a Senate Finance Committee hearing Wednesday.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

At least Berlin could sit by the river, take in the music, and maybe she could forget about how much it was going to hurt, going home, when she would be going home a failure.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith