ongoing

adjective

on·​go·​ing ˈȯn-ˌgō-iŋ How to pronounce ongoing (audio)
ˈän-, 
-ˌgȯ(-)iŋ
Synonyms of ongoing
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

Synonyms of ongoing

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
King Charles, 77, the sources said, could not appear to be compromised when a legal case was ongoing. — Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026 And that was only season 1, where audiences then had to go to Peacock for new episodes, which at the time were still ongoing. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026 No arrests have been announced, and the investigation remains ongoing. — Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026 Based on the preliminary investigation, officials believe the shooting was an isolated incident and that there is no ongoing threat to the public. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ongoing

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of ongoing was in 1877

Rhymes for ongoing

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Browse Nearby Words

on-glide
ongoing
Ongole
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ongoing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ongoing. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of ongoing for Spanish Speakers

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