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

To a great degree, the forum is an ongoing conversation about how the norms of society constrain the intellect. — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2026

But after a brief drop, yields resumed their march higher ahead of this week’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, and ongoing tensions in the Middle East contributing to inflationary fears. — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2026

Timber returned from an ongoing groin issue at the weekend against Sunderland, only to be followed by White walking off gingerly in back-to-back games. — Art De Roché, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

The spokesperson said the cruise line will refrain from commenting further out of respect for the ongoing police investigation. — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 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