ongoing
Americanadjective
adjective
-
actually in progress
ongoing projects
-
continually moving forward; developing
-
remaining in existence; continuing
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.
Vocabulary lists containing ongoing
Word Generation Weekly - Series 3
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Selection Vocabulary 3, Unit 1
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The key news, however, was the suspension of buybacks in response to ongoing discussions with the ECB, which is asking for more conservatism from Nordea on its new models that calculate credit risk.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
At the same time escalating tensions in the Middle East, with ongoing strikes between the Iran-backed Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia, have pushed oil prices higher.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026
Proteins form much of the machinery and structure within muscle cells, so this ongoing maintenance is essential for normal function.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026
The AI chip leader was defying the ongoing sector slump early Friday.
From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026
My facial deformities didn’t present an ongoing danger to my physical health, but the doctors were concerned that they might make it hard for me to make friends.
From "Ugly" by Robert Hoge
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
