Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

impending

[im-pen-ding]
See more synonyms for impending on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. about to happen; imminent: their impending marriage.
  2. imminently threatening or menacing: an impending storm.
  3. Archaic. overhanging.
Show More

Origin of impending

First recorded in 1675–85; impend + -ing2
Can be confusedpending impending

Synonyms

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com
1. See imminent.

impend

[im-pend]
verb (used without object)
  1. to be imminent; be about to happen.
  2. to threaten or menace: He felt that danger impended.
  3. Archaic. to hang or be suspended; overhang (usually followed by over).
Show More

Origin of impend

First recorded in 1580–90, impend is from the Latin word impendēre to hang over, threaten. See im-1, pend
Related formssu·per·im·pend, verb (used without object)
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

imminentloomingapproachingbrewinggatheringthreateningnearingnearcomingmenacingominousproximate

Examples from the Web for impending

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • The steps suggested to meet this impending calamity were strange enough.

    The Grand Old Man

    Richard B. Cook

  • For all felt a blow to be impending, and only marvelled at its being so long withheld.

    In the Valley

    Harold Frederic

  • Tito began to be much preoccupied with her impending duties.

    Johnny Bear

    E. T. Seton

  • In vague ways it was borne in upon him that a change was impending.

    White Fang

    Jack London

  • I troubled myself with the care of that which was not impending over me.

    Wilfrid Cumbermede

    George MacDonald

British Dictionary definitions for impending

impending

adjective
  1. about to happen; imminent
Show More

impend

verb (intr)
  1. (esp of something threatening) to be about to happen; be imminent
  2. (foll by over) rare to be suspended; hang
Show More
Derived Formsimpendence or impendency, noun

Word Origin

C16: from Latin impendēre to overhang, from pendēre to hang
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for impending

impend

v.

1590s, from figurative use of Latin impendere "to hang over, to be imminent," from assimilated form of in- "into, in, on, upon" (see in- (2)) + pendere "hang" (see pendant). Related: Impended; impending.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper