- while waiting for or anticipating
- not yet decided, confirmed, or finished
- imminent: these developments have been pending for some time
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
pend•ing /ˈpɛndɪŋ/USA pronunciation
prep.
adj.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- while awaiting;
until:We'll do this work pending his return. - during:pending the trial.
adj.
- awaiting decision or settlement:That case is still pending.
- about to happen;
impending:Dad knew the driving test was pending; why was he late?
pend•ing
(pen′ding),USA pronunciation prep.
adj.
- while awaiting;
until:pending his return. - in the period before the decision or conclusion of;
during:pending the negotiations.
adj.
- remaining undecided;
awaiting decision or settlement;
unfinished:pending business;pending questions;pending litigation. - about to take place;
impending.
- pend + -ing2, on the model of French pendant (see pendent) 1635–45
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
pending /ˈpɛndɪŋ/ prep
pend
(pend),USA pronunciation v.i.
- to remain undecided or unsettled.
- to hang.
- [Obs.]to depend.
-
Latin pendēre to be suspended, hang, depend 1490–1500
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
pend /pɛnd/ vb (intransitive)
- to await judgment or settlement
'pending' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
binder
- calendar
- chancery
- depend
- escrow
- ice
- lien
- Official Receiver
- pat. pend.
- pendent
- receiver
- reception centre
- alimony
- amicus curiae
- arrangement
- bulletin
- continue
- detention camp
- discontinuance
- docket
- ex dividend
- execution
- garnish
- garnishment
- intervene
- lay
- lis pendens
- modus vivendi
- morgue
- pendency
- pendente lite
- penny
- provisional
- provost marshal
- reconvention
- red herring
- report