goings-on

plural noun

go·​ings-on ˌgō-iŋ-ˈzȯn 

ˌgȯ(-)iŋ-, 

-ˈzän

1

: actions, events

the goings-on in the world

2

: irregular or reprehensible happenings or conduct

tales of strange goings-on in that old house

Examples of goings-on in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That includes breaking stories, polls, the latest from Capitol Hill, the Supreme Court and the White House, and political goings-on from across the nation. —Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026

The goings-on have included Preller trying to build out the roster and Seidler working through the process of selling the team, which is believed to be nearing its final stages. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026

There’s nary a crease to be seen in Bina Daigeler’s costumes, all covetable, unapproachable and tailored to the gods; Matthew Herbert’s score may be among the lushest ever slathered over such horrible goings-on. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026

Later in the episode, Weekend Update fared much better, dedicating a solid five minutes at the top of the segment to the biggest Trump goings-on of the week (a Kristi Noem dog joke is never amiss). —Charu Sinha, Vulture, 1 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for goings-on

• aileron
• antiphon
• autobahn
• carillon
• castellan
• celadon
• cephalon
• chitosan
• cynodon
• denouement
• deuteron
• echelon

Kids Definition

goings-on

plural noun

go·​ings-on

ˌgō-iŋ-ˈzȯn, 

-ˈän

: actions or events that are taking place