ongoing

adjective

on·​go·​ing ˈȯn-ˌgō-iŋ 

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 

ˈän-, 

-ˌgȯ(-)iŋ-

noun

Synonyms of ongoing

• operating
• proceeding
• continuing

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

Although no official statements have been made, frenetic speculations about TWICE leader Jihyo and members Tzuyu and Chaeyoung earlier this year prompted JYP to issue statements that contract negotiations were still ongoing. — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

In his weekly press briefing, Baghaei gave an update on the ongoing talks with Oman regarding the future administration of the vital waterway. — Duarte Dias, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026

To test the idea, Delmau obtained a small sample of waste solution from an ongoing production campaign. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026

The investigation is ongoing, and more charges could be added as investigators uncover new details, prosecutors said. — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for ongoing

• blowing
• boing
• bowing
• crowing
• flowing
• glowing
• going
• growing
• hoeing
• knowing
• lowing
• rowing

Kids Definition

ongoing

adjective

on·​go·​ing ˈȯn-ˌgō-iŋ 

ˈän-

: being in progress or movement