oncoming

adjective

on·​com·​ing ˈȯn-ˌkə-miŋ 

ˈän-

1

a

: coming nearer in time or space

the oncoming year

an oncoming car

b

: future

looked forward to his oncoming visit

2

: emergent, rising

the oncoming generation

Synonyms

• upcoming
• approaching
• impending
• coming

Examples of oncoming in a Sentence

we're looking forward to your oncoming visit

Recent Examples on the Web

From $412 per night. Perks: 10-min drive to the park, outdoor stargazing globe, self check-in, hot tub, pool The plastic star-gazing bubble that was promised, complete with telescope for locating Orion or getting a really good look inside the jaws of an oncoming coyote. —Jessica Cherner, Architectural Digest, 13 Aug. 2025

Jeff McConnell spends most mornings on the westbound side of Interstate 84, watching the oncoming traffic. —Idaho Statesman, 13 Aug. 2025

Later, the two men and Ortega-Camero met at an intersection, then Ortega-Camero intentionally crashed into the motorcyclists, which pushed them into oncoming traffic, police said. —Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 12 Aug. 2025

Philippine Coast Guard via AP Video shows CCG 3104 in hot pursuit, deploying its water cannons, before turning starboard, right into the oncoming 7,500-ton destroyer, leaving the bow of the smaller ship visibly crumpled and twisted. —Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1844, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for oncoming

• becoming
• forthcoming
• homecoming
• incoming
• shortcoming
• succumbing
• upcoming
• coming
• cumming
• drumming
• gumming
• humming

Kids Definition

oncoming

adjective

on·​com·​ing ˈȯn-ˌkəm-iŋ 

ˈän-

: coming nearer

oncoming traffic