pending

pend-ing · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    (adjective) Awaiting decision or settlement; not yet resolved.

  2. 2.

    (adjective) About to happen; imminent.

  3. 3.

    (preposition) Until; while awaiting.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    pending approval — waiting for authorization
  • •
    patent pending — a patent application that has been filed but not yet granted

Related words

Antonyms: completed, resolved, settled
See also: awaiting, imminent, outstanding, unresolved
Synonyms: awaiting, outstanding, unresolved

Etymology

From Latin pendere ("to hang"), via the present participle form. The sense of "awaiting" comes from the idea of something "hanging" in suspense.