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

• afoot
• proceeding

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

His first significant trip outside Rome as pontiff was to the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa, a key site in Europe's ongoing migration crisis. —Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025

Mollie Helpern, a spokesperson for the Pentagon's inspector general, told NPR that Stebbins is aware of news reports about Hegseth's second Signal chat, and that the evaluation is ongoing. —Destinee Adams, NPR, 22 Apr. 2025

The company says the forensic investigation is still ongoing and that the total number of affected individuals may continue to rise. —Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2025

Today, a new genre of writing—one that records the ongoing crisis—feels more useful than my old standbys. —Heather Hansman, The Atlantic, 22 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for ongoing

• bestowing
• churchgoing
• elbowing
• fallowing
• farrowing
• foregoing
• forgoing
• outflowing
• outgoing
• outgrowing
• seagoing
• tiptoeing

Kids Definition

ongoing

adjective

on·​go·​ing ˈȯn-ˌgō-iŋ 

ˈän-

: being in progress or movement