in waiting

Idioms  

1. In attendance, especially on a royal personage. For example, The prelates who were in waiting asked him to take the last rites. This usage has become less common with the diminution of royalty and royal courts but still survives. [Late 1600s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

in waiting

A plastic crate holds more wood in waiting.

From Salon ● Aug. 11, 2026

If no one sparks a contest, then Burnham will be crowned Labour leader -- and prime minister in waiting -- at a special conference on July 17.

From Barron's ● Jul. 9, 2026

Stevie Chalmers, a Lisbon Lion in waiting, opened the scoring after a minute.

From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2026

Somehow, though, Sara Dosa’s documentary on this matter, “Time and Water,” avoids playing like a funeral in waiting.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 5, 2026

“There’s no point in waiting around to speak to him. An announcement will be made at one o’clock.”

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson

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Related Words

• delayed
• negotiated
• postponed

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