impending

American

[im-pen-ding] / ɪmˈpɛn dɪŋ /

adjective

about to happen; imminent.

their impending marriage.
imminently threatening or menacing.

an impending storm.
Archaic. overhanging.

impending British

/ ɪmˈpɛndɪŋ /

adjective

about to happen; imminent

"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

Related Words

See imminent.

Etymology

Origin of impending

First recorded in 1675–85; impend + -ing ²

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.

Still, Dorsheimer said the impending merger with Veeco “will complement Axcelis’s singular focus on ion implant and cast a wider net to cover semiconductor capital equipment.”

From MarketWatch • Mar. 28, 2026

Kudrow’s comedy and the film – a real doc, not a mockumentary – take different approaches to grasping the fear and possibility of AI’s impending takeover.

From Salon • Mar. 26, 2026

The startup has itself sued several states to prevent impending bans.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

However, sources told The Times that the warning was cautionary and there’s no credible intelligence to indicate an impending attack.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026

To get that feeling of impending doom in my stomach to loosen up.

From "Popcorn" by Rob Harrell

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023