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
noun ˈän-
-ˌgȯ(-)iŋ-
Synonyms
- afoot
- proceeding
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 The Rio Grande Valley is facing pressure from an ongoing drought and a looming water shortage, so much so that the threat pushed two county judges to issue disaster declarations in August. 
Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2022 Elon Musk can add new information from a Twitter whistleblower to his counterclaims in ongoing litigation over his attempt to back out of acquiring the site. Rachel Lerman, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2022 Both fires were fueled by gusty winds, high temperatures, low relative humidity and vegetation desiccated by the ongoing drought, said Capt. Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2022 Fege said one of the major issues is a lack of funding and coordination around ensuring adequate irrigation, especially amid the ongoing drought. Joshua Emerson Smith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Sep. 2022 For Sichuan province, the lockdowns are only adding to the pain from a record heat wave that exacerbated an ongoing drought in August, leading to citywide power cuts. Will Daniel, Fortune, 1 Sep. 2022 An ongoing drought has led to a steep decline in the water level of Lake Mead, the nation's largest manmade reservoir, which is located in Nevada and Arizona and is formed by the Hoover Dam. Corin Cesaric, Peoplemag, 25 Aug. 2022 But a court then ruled that the bans could go back into effect during the ongoing litigation. New York Times, 23 Aug. 2022 The ongoing drought has made the creek shallower than usual, meaning the trees receive less nutrients. Joe Duhownik, The Arizona Republic, 22 Aug. 2022 See More
Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2022 Elon Musk can add new information from a Twitter whistleblower to his counterclaims in ongoing litigation over his attempt to back out of acquiring the site. Rachel Lerman, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2022 Both fires were fueled by gusty winds, high temperatures, low relative humidity and vegetation desiccated by the ongoing drought, said Capt. Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2022 Fege said one of the major issues is a lack of funding and coordination around ensuring adequate irrigation, especially amid the ongoing drought. Joshua Emerson Smith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Sep. 2022 For Sichuan province, the lockdowns are only adding to the pain from a record heat wave that exacerbated an ongoing drought in August, leading to citywide power cuts. Will Daniel, Fortune, 1 Sep. 2022 An ongoing drought has led to a steep decline in the water level of Lake Mead, the nation's largest manmade reservoir, which is located in Nevada and Arizona and is formed by the Hoover Dam. Corin Cesaric, Peoplemag, 25 Aug. 2022 But a court then ruled that the bans could go back into effect during the ongoing litigation. New York Times, 23 Aug. 2022 The ongoing drought has made the creek shallower than usual, meaning the trees receive less nutrients. Joe Duhownik, The Arizona Republic, 22 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1877, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
ongoing
adjective
on·go·ing ˈȯn-ˌgō-iŋ
ˈän-
: being in progress or movement
The investigation is ongoing.
ongoing
adjective
1
as in operating
being in progress or development we do seem to be making some headway on that ongoing project the ever ongoing quest for knowledge by men and women of science Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- operating
- continuing
- proceeding
- working
- going
- functioning
- afoot
- happening
- advancing
- gaining
- afloat
- alive
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- halted
- ended
- stalled
- stopped
- arrested
- receding
- retrogressing
- regressing
2
as in current
existing or in progress right now the ongoing presidential campaign Synonyms & Similar Words
- current
- present
- recent
- immediate
- existing
- new
- extant
- existent
- instant
- modern
- contemporary
- present-day
- being
- modernistic
- newfangled
- breathing
- ultramodern
- up-to-date
- mod
- supermodern
- space-age
- new-fashioned
- living
- red-hot
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- future
- coming
- over
- through
- unborn
- ended
- terminated
- completed
- up
- finished
- past
- concluded
- ancient
- old
- done
- archaic
- obsolete
- antiquated
- antediluvian
- former
- antique
- dated
- outworn
- bygone
- erstwhile
- noncontemporary
- fusty
- musty
- oldfangled
- ago
- old-time
- old-fashioned
- out-of-date
- passé
3
as in continuing
having an existence or validity that does not change or diminish an ongoing commitment to improving their community Synonyms & Similar Words
- continuing
- enduring
- eternal
- perpetual
- lasting
- immortal
- perennial
- constant
- endless
- abiding
- timeless
- everlasting
- permanent
- undying
- ageless
- imperishable
- ceaseless
- unchanging
- steady
- dateless
- stationary
- stable
- unvarying
- changeless
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- archaic
- obsolete
- antiquated
- outmoded
- outdated
- dated
- outworn
- out-of-date
- passé