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; see go ¹, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

Teens are going online earlier and more often than past generations.

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2026

Linsey Smith dominated the powerplay as she finished with 3-25, removing opener Georgia Plimmer and skipper Melie Kerr for first-ball ducks, but the stunning recovery gave New Zealand the momentum going into the second innings.

From BBC • May 23, 2026

“The only life safety hazard now is our firefighters, and our police officers, and that chemistry team going down,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026

“No matter what you do, you’re going to lose muscle,” Dr. Joyner says.

From Barron's • May 23, 2026

“Will you relax? You’re going to get red polish everywhere.”

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam