pend·ing
ˈpen-diŋ 
1
: during
their opportunity to develop trade pending the laborious and fruitless negotiations—
Theodore Hsi-En Chen
Theodore Hsi-En Chen2
: while awaiting
pending approval
were held in custody pending trial
Examples of pending in a Sentence
Preposition
He is being held in jail pending trial.
She received a four-year sentence and is currently out on bail pending appeal.
Adjective
The results of the investigation are pending.
There are lawsuits pending against the company.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jo Yurcaba, NBC News, 16 Nov. 2022
Since Sorokin is currently in Immigration and Enforcement custody pending deportation, the video interview happened in fits and starts because Cooper and Sorokin had to keep reconnecting on the phone when time was up.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN, 17 Mar. 2022
Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Olema's intellectual property portfolio is vital to its business strategy, with patents and pending applications for palazestrant and OP-3136.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pending
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Preposition
Judges have blocked Alabama's and Arkansas' measures from taking effect pending litigation.
—Jo Yurcaba, NBC News, 16 Nov. 2022
Since Sorokin is currently in Immigration and Enforcement custody pending deportation, the video interview happened in fits and starts because Cooper and Sorokin had to keep reconnecting on the phone when time was up.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN, 17 Mar. 2022
Adjective
The policy is retroactive to pending applications and requires new documentation to update gender designations.
—Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Olema's intellectual property portfolio is vital to its business strategy, with patents and pending applications for palazestrant and OP-3136.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pending
Cite this Entry
“Pending.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pending. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pending
1 of 2 preposition
pend·ing
ˈpen-diŋ
: while waiting for
held in jail pending a trial
pending
2 of 2 adjective1
: not yet decided or acted on
bills pending in Congress
2
: being about to take place
signs of a pending victory
Legal Definition
pending
1 of 2 preposition
pend·ing
ˈpen-diŋ
1
: during the time of
2
: while awaiting : in the time preceding
held in escrow pending the outcome of the suit
free pending trial
pending
2 of 2 adjective1
: not yet decided
a pending suit
2
: to occur or be realized soon
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