attending

American  

[uh-ten-ding] / əˈtɛn dɪŋ /

adjective

1. having primary responsibility for a patient.

2. holding a staff position in an accredited hospital.

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Other Word Forms

• well-attending adjective

Etymology

Origin of attending

First recorded in 1580–90; attend + -ing ²

Example Sentences

“Patient passports” introduced by Dr. Al-Hashimi, the new chief attending physician, to improve people’s experience at the hospital became fans in the hot waiting room.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

She resisted joining the club for decades due to the policy, but eventually caved after she got tired of attending events as someone else’s guest.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Downing Street did not confirm who would be representing each of the tech companies attending the meeting.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

“Just to let everyone know, I will not be attending prom,” Scobell, who plays the titular demigod in the Disney+ series, wrote in a message posted to his Instagram Story.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

Mr. Poe was scarcely at home, because he was very busy attending to the Baudelaire affairs, and when he was home he was often coughing so much he could barely have a conversation.

From "The Bad Beginning" by Lemony Snicket