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

“It can’t stay pending forever, so let’s make a plan to move forward.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Dozens of the harassment and abuse claims identified in the sheriff’s department records are listed as “pending,” which the department defines on its website as an “allegation still under investigation.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

An appeals court hearing in that case was held Friday; a decision is pending.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He points out that the majority of cases pending in Pakistan are not in the Supreme Court.

Read more on BBC

The government had requested a stay of the injunction pending appeal, which Frimpong denied.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• imminent 
• impending 
• undecided