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
Synonyms
Preposition
Adjective
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 WebJo 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
Even if the Trump team completes certain actions and publishes them in the Federal Register, the Biden team can halt implementation pending review.
—Kelsey Brugger, Science | AAAS, 10 Nov. 2020
Although a federal judge issued an injunction to keep the program alive pending higher court review, the young immigrants stand to lose their right to work, travel and attend school.
—Carolyn Lochhead, San Francisco Chronicle, 27 Jan. 2018
Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2023
While representatives for both Wells Fargo and the Navy Federal Credit Union did not comment due to pending litigation, both provided USA TODAY prepared statements.
—USA TODAY, 14 May 2023
The state of Vermont has agreed to pay $16.5 million to settle all pending and potential lawsuits from foreign investors in development projects at the Jay Peak resort, the ski area that was shaken by a massive fraud case involving its former owner and president, officials said Wednesday.
—Lisa Rathke, Fortune, 6 July 2023
Tenants and landlords with pending applications can access Public Counsel’s FAQ at carentrelief.org or call Housing Is Key’s call center at (833) 343-2122.
—Charlotte Kramon, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2023
Massachusetts Democrats in Congress reacted swiftly on social media Thursday night to the pending historic indictment of Donald J. Trump, the first former or sitting US president to face criminal charges.
—BostonGlobe.com, 30 Mar. 2023
President Joe Biden is scheduled to meet with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and three other top members of Congress on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the pending fiscal disaster for the first time since February.
—Eden Villalovas, Washington Examiner, 9 May 2023
Under federal labor law, companies can often begin campaigns to decertify unions with a separate election a year after workers vote to unionize, though Starbucks cannot yet to do because of pending federal investigations.
—Lauren Kaori Gurley, Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2023
The Blackhawks get back a 2023 conditional second-round pick, a 2025 fourth-round pick and minor league defenseman Andy Welinski for the pending unrestricted free agent, who waived his no-movement clause.
—Mike Brehm, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2023
See More
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
Even if the Trump team completes certain actions and publishes them in the Federal Register, the Biden team can halt implementation pending review.
—Kelsey Brugger, Science | AAAS, 10 Nov. 2020
Although a federal judge issued an injunction to keep the program alive pending higher court review, the young immigrants stand to lose their right to work, travel and attend school.
—Carolyn Lochhead, San Francisco Chronicle, 27 Jan. 2018
Adjective
The department declined to comment due to pending litigation, including a possible appeal.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2023
While representatives for both Wells Fargo and the Navy Federal Credit Union did not comment due to pending litigation, both provided USA TODAY prepared statements.
—USA TODAY, 14 May 2023
The state of Vermont has agreed to pay $16.5 million to settle all pending and potential lawsuits from foreign investors in development projects at the Jay Peak resort, the ski area that was shaken by a massive fraud case involving its former owner and president, officials said Wednesday.
—Lisa Rathke, Fortune, 6 July 2023
Tenants and landlords with pending applications can access Public Counsel’s FAQ at carentrelief.org or call Housing Is Key’s call center at (833) 343-2122.
—Charlotte Kramon, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2023
Massachusetts Democrats in Congress reacted swiftly on social media Thursday night to the pending historic indictment of Donald J. Trump, the first former or sitting US president to face criminal charges.
—BostonGlobe.com, 30 Mar. 2023
President Joe Biden is scheduled to meet with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and three other top members of Congress on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the pending fiscal disaster for the first time since February.
—Eden Villalovas, Washington Examiner, 9 May 2023
Under federal labor law, companies can often begin campaigns to decertify unions with a separate election a year after workers vote to unionize, though Starbucks cannot yet to do because of pending federal investigations.
—Lauren Kaori Gurley, Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2023
The Blackhawks get back a 2023 conditional second-round pick, a 2025 fourth-round pick and minor league defenseman Andy Welinski for the pending unrestricted free agent, who waived his no-movement clause.
—Mike Brehm, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pending.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near pending
Cite this Entry
“Pending.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pending. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on pending
Nglish: Translation of pending for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of pending for Arabic Speakers
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