ongoing
Americanadjective
adjective
-
actually in progress
ongoing projects
-
continually moving forward; developing
-
remaining in existence; continuing
Usage
What does ongoing mean? Ongoing means continuing without interruption or a scheduled end. Something that’s described as ongoing has been happening for a while and is expected to continue to happen. Ongoing is an adjective that’s used to describe situations and actions. Similar terms are continuing and in progress. Example: I’m so tired of this ongoing argument with Kathy—no matter what I do, it just never stops.
Etymology
Origin of ongoing
First recorded in 1855–60; on + going, after the verb phrase go on
Explanation
If something is ongoing, it is happening now. If you have an ongoing argument with your neighbor, it means you were arguing before, you’re arguing now, and it looks like you'll be arguing into the future. If something is ongoing, it is currently in action. Often in news reports, reference will be made to an ongoing investigation because the police are in the midst of it at the moment of reporting. Ongoing reports are currently in progress as are ongoing repairs. If your teachers say that there will be ongoing testing throughout the year, you won't be done with it until you get out of school.
Vocabulary lists containing ongoing
Word Generation Weekly - Series 3
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Chapter 17: Imperial China
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Selection Vocabulary 3, Unit 1
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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.
That makes his lab's ongoing work with its "heatwave simulator" -- which he says is one of the world's only two such systems -- a race against time.
From Barron's ● Jul. 29, 2026
These grants represent about $10 million in funding, according to a manager with LAHSA, who asked not to be named because the agency is part of an ongoing lawsuit.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
While the company already offers traditional installment plans, the newly announced Apple Upgrade program is different because customers will be paying for ongoing access to products rather than paying to own.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026
"They don't cover chronic diseases or the things that really matter, the ongoing health issues that patients have and struggle to get seen," she told the programme.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
They have an ongoing argument about necklines and bare shoulders.
From "Before We Were Free" by Julia Alvarez
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
