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.

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 world, meanwhile, “still appears to be underestimating the impending supply shortages and higher fuel prices” that will cause.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 24, 2026

Driven by rumors of Severus’ impending death, some bored soldiers proclaimed one of his brutish sons as their emperor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

Nielsen also communicated the impending change to clients multiple times in recent months, according to a spokeswoman.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

I strained against the cords, overwhelmed by a sense of impending doom.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros

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