ongoing

adjective

on·​go·​ing ˈȯn-ˌgō-iŋ How to pronounce ongoing (audio)
ˈän-, 
-ˌgȯ(-)iŋ
Synonyms of ongoing
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 How to pronounce ongoing (audio)
ˈän-, 
-ˌgȯ(-)iŋ-
noun

Synonyms of ongoing

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Although the investigation is ongoing, the immediate cause of death could have been from a ruptured spleen, as the Coroner stated. — Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 State Farm reduced its payouts to policyholders by more than a billion dollars as massive storms tore up the rooftops of houses in Oklahoma, according to company documents released as part of an ongoing series of lawsuits. — Abigail Brooks, NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026 Now, this as the search for survivors is ongoing here in Nepal. — ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026 Their home city of Dnipro and the surrounding Dnipropetrovsk region face severe, ongoing destruction from Russian missile attacks. — Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ongoing

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of ongoing was in 1877

Rhymes for ongoing

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Browse Nearby Words

on-glide
ongoing
Ongole
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ongoing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ongoing. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

ongoing

adjective
on·​go·​ing ˈȯn-ˌgō-iŋ How to pronounce ongoing (audio)
ˈän-
: being in progress or movement
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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