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.
The ongoing World Cup has made for a spectacle simply not seen elsewhere — maybe not even in Argentina. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 19 July 2026 But, a day later, in a move many who served in law enforcement viewed as baffling, the warrant appeared to have been suddenly unsealed while the ongoing investigation into the incident was still underway. — Josh Campbell, CNN Money, 19 July 2026 The second human trafficking case against the brothers in Romania was also still ongoing as of February 2025. — Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 19 July 2026 Based on the book by Elin Hilderbrand, an author whose beach-read oeuvre dominates airport bookstores, the series drops readers immediately into the midst of an ongoing family tragedy. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 19 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

See All Rhymes for ongoing

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 26 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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