pending

[pen-ding]

preposition

1. while awaiting; until.

   pending his return.

2. in the period before the decision or conclusion of; during.

   pending the negotiations.

adjective

1. remaining undecided; awaiting decision or settlement; unfinished.

   pending business; pending questions; pending litigation.

2. about to take place; impending.

pending

/ ˈpɛndɪŋ /

preposition

1. while waiting for or anticipating

adjective

1. not yet decided, confirmed, or finished

   what are the matters pending?

2. imminent

   these developments have been pending for some time

Other Word Forms

• nonpending adjective
• unpending adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pending¹

1635–45; pend + -ing ², on the model of French pendant ( pendent )

Example Sentences

Mr Ozorio will be handed over to Argentine police soon, while Mr Valverde, who is a Peruvian citizen, will stay in jail in Peru for now pending an extradition request by Argentina.

From BBC

Lang hopes to start work on the project next year, pending the return of institutional investors.

From Los Angeles Times

Both defendants had other cases pending that needed to be resolved before the trial began, furthering the delays, according to the D.A.’s office.

From Los Angeles Times

Cebu's archbishop has told devotees to stay away from churches, pending structural assessments.

From BBC

The proposal is pending a final decision by U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• imminent 
• impending 
• undecided