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

“Markets ‘moved on’ from the war and oil prices when gas prices stopped going up,” Esther Sholes, senior macro analyst at Take Profit Trader, and former portfolio manager at Millennium Investment Management, told MarketWatch.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 24, 2026

“Depending when this ends, it’s going to take months to recover,” says Angie Gildea, global head of oil and gas at KPMG.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

There’s a level of excitement to that, just hope and knowing there’s going to be something special that comes from this.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

But having finally reached the semi-final that year, in my 34th attempt as a player or manager, I was never going to complain about having Wembley on the horizon instead.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

“The funeral was a week ago, so I hope so. There’s something I need to give him. Besides, I’m sure the office needs my attention. All that paperwork isn’t going to take care of itself.”

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam