What does pending mean?
Pending describes something that has not yet been settled, completed, or put into effect, usually because a decision or further action is still required. It is particularly common in legal, governmental, and business contexts, as in a request pending approval or an investigation pending review. When used of an event or decision, it can also suggest that the matter is expected to happen soon. The preposition form, as in “pending the results of the inquiry,” means throughout the period before those results are known. Although pending is often associated with delay and uncertainty, it also has a relatively neutral administrative tone: it identifies work that is being considered without necessarily implying a problem. It is broadly understood in formal English in both British and American usage.
Not yet settled, decided, completed, or dealt with; awaiting an outcome or decision.
"The investigation is pending, and no conclusions have been announced."
Common in formal and administrative contexts, especially before words such as approval, review, investigation, and decision.
Expected to occur soon; forthcoming.
"The report identifies several pending changes to the policy."
This sense is especially used of decisions, meetings, visits, and changes, and often carries a more neutral sense of being in the process of being finalized.
Throughout the period before something is resolved, completed, or granted.
"The application remains suspended pending a court hearing."
Formal and common in legal and administrative language.
The word pending comes from the same Latin root as pension: both evoke something that hangs in suspension while an outcome is awaited.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pending come from?
The word entered Middle English through French pendant, a form of the Latin participle pendere, meaning “to hang” or “to suspend.” In English it developed the sense of something being held in suspense while a decision or outcome is awaited. The same Latin root also underlies words such as pension, suspend, and appendix, although their modern meanings have diverged considerably.
Related word forms
How pending is actually used
The word is formal and especially common in legal, administrative, and business contexts. In the phrase pending something, it means until that matter is resolved. In the sense of expected or imminent, it is usually used of events, decisions, or visits.