wait
verb (used without object)
to remain inactive or in a state of repose, as until something expected happens (often followed by for, till, oruntil ).
had been waiting
-
past perfect progressiveof wait.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
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.
English-language news site Nation Thailand reports that the boys' mother and older sister had been waiting on the beach when the trio were brought back to safety.
From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026
And it seems that final price cut was exactly what one lucky buyer had been waiting for—with property records showing that the dwelling came under “contingent” offer just a few days later.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 29, 2026
It was 1977, and Steenburgen — an Arkansas native — had been waiting tables in New York at night while studying acting with Sandy Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse during the day.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026
Mousa Traore, who had been waiting for more than an hour along with some 200 other customers at a small Lidl store, said he had been told there were only two units on sale.
From Barron's ● Jul. 2, 2026
Somkit had been waiting an hour, and he'd wait for hours more if he had to, because the most important thing to wait for in Namwon were the mangoes.
From "A Wish in the Dark" by Christina Soontornvat
