ongoing

adjective

on·​go·​ing ˈȯn-ˌgō-iŋ How to pronounce ongoing (audio)
ˈän-,
-ˌgȯ(-)iŋ
1
a
: being actually in process
ongoing research
b
: continuing
The investigation is ongoing.
2
: continuously moving forward : growing
the long ongoing history of medicine
ongoingness
ˈȯn-ˌgō-iŋ-nəs How to pronounce ongoing (audio)
ˈän-
-ˌgȯ(-)iŋ-
noun

Examples of ongoing in a Sentence

the ongoing events at the school ongoing efforts to find a cure for the disease There is an ongoing debate over the issue.
Recent Examples on the Web But on Friday, the Old City remained quiet and undecorated, the mood dampened by the ongoing tragedy in Gaza. Sufian Taha, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024 The remaining 41 percent is for upgrades, maintenance and debt service for the city’s water system, such as on the ongoing project of replacing 40 miles of pipelines each year to reduce pipeline failures. Kobi Bardugo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2024 For Trump, the scandal has been an ongoing embarrassment. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 9 Mar. 2024 The books are a worldwide sensation, but nobody’s reading them for the characters, when characters are almost always what gets audiences hooked on ongoing TV shows. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2024 Baker declined to discuss details of or comment on the Chiefs rally shooting during a Wednesday interview with The Star, as the case is ongoing. Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 8 Mar. 2024 This initiative underscores our ongoing commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive soccer community. Sacramento Bee, 8 Mar. 2024 Last season, fans witnessed Kourtney, 44, and Kim, 43, continue their ongoing fight over their Dolce & Gabbana ties, Khloé's complicated relationship with ex Tristan Thompson, Kim stepping up her acting career and Kourtney's pregnancy journey with husband Travis Barker. Dory Jackson, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024 Thunderstorms that developed Thursday night were ongoing Friday morning in parts of Texas while another area of storms bubbled to life over portions of Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi. Mary Gilbert, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ongoing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of ongoing was in 1877

Dictionary Entries Near ongoing

Cite this Entry

“Ongoing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ongoing. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ongoing

adjective
on·​go·​ing ˈȯn-ˌgō-iŋ How to pronounce ongoing (audio)
ˈän-
: being in progress or movement

More from Merriam-Webster on ongoing

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