pendency

noun

pen·​den·​cy ˈpen-dən(t)-sē How to pronounce pendency (audio)
: the state of being pending
the pendency of the litigation

Examples of pendency in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But California court rules provide both the defense and the prosecution with what amounts to one free veto of a judge during the pendency of a case. Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2024 Weiss and his underlings used the pendency of the 2020 presidential campaign as an excuse to instruct the IRS and FBI agents on the case not to take measures that might call attention to the investigation and thus influence the election. The Editors, National Review, 21 July 2023 According to the Mueller report, McGahn was a key witness to one of Trump's most flagrant acts of obstruction: in June 2017, Trump instructed McGahn to fire Mueller, during the pendency of Mueller's investigation (an incident which the former president denies happened). Elie Honig, CNN, 8 June 2021 The memos gave the background, the requested dates formotions to be filed, the pendency of plea discussions, and the timeline for discovery to be handed over. Laura Coates, Rolling Stone, 19 Jan. 2022 Cooper wrote that the pendency of the appeal in Miller's case was not an impediment to the trial in Barnett's case. Bill Bowden, Arkansas Online, 24 Nov. 2022 Slobodan died during pendency of the trial, while Karadzic and Mladic were convicted in 2016 and 2017 and are currently serving long sentences. Ruti Teitel, CNN, 6 Apr. 2022 The charges were filed in 2018 and Porter argued the case’s pendency violated McDougall’s speedy trial rights. Cory Shaffer, cleveland, 23 Nov. 2021 He was ultimately placed on house arrest during the pendency of the murder case, with several conditions including submitting to GPS monitoring. BostonGlobe.com, 10 Aug. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pendency.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1637, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pendency was in 1637

Dictionary Entries Near pendency

Cite this Entry

“Pendency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pendency. Accessed 12 Oct. 2024.

Legal Definition

pendency

noun
pen·​den·​cy ˈpen-dən-sē How to pronounce pendency (audio)
: the quality, state, or period of being pendent
the pendency of the contract renewal
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