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

That’s unlikely to change now, especially as China sees how unpopular the ongoing conflict has been within the US and abroad, and as Chinese leader Xi Jinping is set to visit the United States next month. — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

Following the earthquake, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shared on social media that while there are no current reports of human casualties or extensive damage to homes, confirmation of the full scope of the earthquake’s effects remained ongoing. — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 23 Aug. 2026

Partly, that’s due to the omnipresent dangers of an intractable conflict that has been ongoing since before he was born. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 23 Aug. 2026

The lawsuit asks for a jury trial, an injunction against ongoing and future copyright infringement and unspecified damages. — Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 23 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