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 Web
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
Paloma Chavez, Sacramento Bee, 23 Jan. 2025
The Los Angeles Dodgers, who need to clear space on their 40-man roster for their new and pending additions, are shopping some of their surplus to teams, including veteran Ryan Brasier, who is owed $4.5 million this year.
—Jon Paul Hoornstra, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pending 
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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
Adjective
Hodges and Lujan were both arrested before Hodges was released due to pending charges, officials told AZ Family.
—Paloma Chavez, Sacramento Bee, 23 Jan. 2025
The Los Angeles Dodgers, who need to clear space on their 40-man roster for their new and pending additions, are shopping some of their surplus to teams, including veteran Ryan Brasier, who is owed $4.5 million this year.
—Jon Paul Hoornstra, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pending
Dictionary Entries Near pending
Cite this Entry
“Pending.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pending. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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