oncoming

adjective

on·​com·​ing ˈȯn-ˌkə-miŋ How to pronounce oncoming (audio)
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

Examples of oncoming in a Sentence

we're looking forward to your oncoming visit
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.
The driver ran red lights and crossed into oncoming traffic as officers pursued him through San Mateo, Burlingame and Millbrae, police said. Jason Green, The Mercury News, 30 Oct. 2024 Her video appears to show the Waymo vehicle pulling out into oncoming traffic. Meredith G. White, The Arizona Republic, 25 Oct. 2024 And making the end of daylight saving time fun is a practice in deliberately and playfully meeting oncoming challenges. Kari Leibowitz, TIME, 22 Oct. 2024 Police stated that during the pursuit the suspect tried to run over an officer, ran multiple red lights and swerved into oncoming traffic. Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 9 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for oncoming 

Word History

First Known Use

1844, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of oncoming was in 1844

Dictionary Entries Near oncoming

Cite this Entry

“Oncoming.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oncoming. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

oncoming

adjective
on·​com·​ing ˈȯn-ˌkəm-iŋ How to pronounce oncoming (audio)
ˈän-
: coming nearer
oncoming traffic

More from Merriam-Webster on oncoming

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!