What does pended mean?
Pended is the past tense and past participle of pend, a formal and chiefly American legal verb meaning to remain in suspense or await a decision. It is especially associated with court proceedings: a lawsuit, claim, or other legal matter may pended while awaiting judgment, further motions, or administrative action. The word can also describe a question or issue left unresolved, though this broader use is less frequent. In everyday English, people generally prefer the fuller phrase “remained pending,” which conveys the same idea more naturally. Pended should not be confused with penned, which means written with a pen; in many accents, the two words are pronounced identically. Although “pending” is now the familiar form, “pended” remains recognizable in legal documents, case histories, and reports of judicial proceedings.
verbThe past tense and past participle of pend: to be held in suspense or awaiting decision, especially of a legal case or matter.
- To remain held in suspense or awaiting a decision, especially as a legal case or matter.
"The lawsuit pended in court for nearly two years before reaching a settlement."
"The case pended while the court considered a motion to dismiss."
"Several disputed questions pended until the agency issued its final ruling."
In legal records, a case that “pended” was not dormant: it was waiting for a judge, jury, ruling, or other decision.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pended come from?
The form derives from the English verb pend, which comes through Anglo-French from Latin pendere, meaning “to hang” or “to suspend.” In legal use, the Latin idea developed into the sense of remaining before a court or authority while awaiting decision. Related English words include pendant and pensive from Latin pendere, while suspend comes from the related Latin verb suspendere.
Related word forms
How pended is actually used
This form is uncommon in ordinary conversation and is found chiefly in legal, judicial, and other formal writing. In modern usage, “remained pending” is usually more natural.
Easily confused with pended
Pended means held in suspense or awaiting a decision, whereas penned means written down, especially with a pen.