ongoing

American  

[on-goh-ing, awn-] / ˈɒnˌgoʊ ɪŋ, ˈɔn- /

adjective

1. continuing without termination or interruption.

   ongoing research projects.

   Synonyms:

   unbroken, uninterrupted, proceeding

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ongoing British  

/ ˈɒnˌɡəʊɪŋ /

adjective

1. actually in progress

   ongoing projects

2. continually moving forward; developing

3. remaining in existence; continuing

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Usage

What does ongoing mean? Ongoing means continuing without interruption or a scheduled end. Something that’s described as ongoing has been happening for a while and is expected to continue to happen. Ongoing is an adjective that’s used to describe situations and actions. Similar terms are continuing and in progress. Example: I’m so tired of this ongoing argument with Kathy—no matter what I do, it just never stops.

Etymology

Origin of ongoing

First recorded in 1855–60; on + going, after the verb phrase go on

Explanation

If something is ongoing, it is happening now. If you have an ongoing argument with your neighbor, it means you were arguing before, you’re arguing now, and it looks like you'll be arguing into the future. If something is ongoing, it is currently in action. Often in news reports, reference will be made to an ongoing investigation because the police are in the midst of it at the moment of reporting. Ongoing reports are currently in progress as are ongoing repairs. If your teachers say that there will be ongoing testing throughout the year, you won't be done with it until you get out of school.

Example Sentences

French police have not named the suspect and Interpol said limited details about the case could be shared because investigations and judicial proceedings were ongoing.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

Timeshares, whose clientele skew middle class, might not be quite as resilient—especially since the purchases are such a big, ongoing financial commitment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

Talk of expanding the role of drones has been ongoing for years but ramped up in 2025 after a public outcry over a series of high-profile burglaries on the city’s Westside.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

Tougher US sanctions under Trump followed, and even before the ongoing fuel blockade was imposed, tourism had fallen by 17.8 percent.

From Barron's • Apr. 27, 2026

Citing exhaustion and, later, the effects of a recent and ongoing bout with hepatitis, Knight departed the campus, leaving the students no negotiating partner.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

Related Words

• continuing
• current
• growing
• open-ended
• successful