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

The 111-year-old local landmark faces the possibility of losing 20 hours of weekly operation after appearing to survive a previous plan for full closure as part of the city of San Diego’s ongoing process to try to balance its budget. —Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026

The ongoing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz has created uncertainty for hundreds of ships and around 20,000 seafarers waiting for news of an agreement to reopen the crucial shipping corridor. —Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 29 May 2026

An investigation into the incident is ongoing. —Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026

Torres has an ongoing fascination with how toys, culture, and real-life quirks intersect; his wonderful feature film Problemista continues in this vein. —Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 28 May 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