ongoing

adjective

on·​go·​ing ˈȯn-ˌgō-iŋ How to pronounce ongoing (audio)
ˈän-
-ˌgȯ(-)iŋ
Synonyms of ongoingnext
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
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 person requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss details of an ongoing investigation. Arkansas Online, 24 Mar. 2026 But that morning Díaz-Canel confirmed discussions were underway in a rare TV appearance and signaled ongoing changes could lead to Cuba’s biggest economic opening since the communist government seized private property and nationalized all businesses. Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026 Mullin's confirmation vote comes during ongoing DHS partial shutdown -- with employees of Transportation Security Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency and other agencies under DHS not getting paid. Luke Barr, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026 Simone Fontecchio provided the type of length the Heat otherwise lacked, which is an ongoing issue (especially with the dwindling faith in Nikola Jovic). Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 23 Mar. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ongoing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ongoing. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

ongoing

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

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