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

While Witherspoon’s involvement and momentum as both star and producer made Hello Sunshine an appealing investment, the economics of the business grew more challenging due to ongoing changes in audio and streaming. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026

The search for the missing crew members – believed to be Syrian and Egyptian nationals – is still ongoing as of Tuesday afternoon, the Bulgarian Interior Ministry told CNN. — Svitlana Vlasova, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026

The release coincides with the film’s exhibition at the Paris Cinémathèque Française as part of the ongoing Belmondo retrospective. — Ed Meza, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026

But that headline was just the beginning of a bizarre, three-year legal saga that remains ongoing. — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 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