# attending

/əˈtɛndɪŋ/ (US) · /ɐtˈɛndɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/attending
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. being present

verb · CEFR B1

the act of going to or being at an event, like a meeting or a school.

For teachers: the present participle of 'attend', used to describe the act of being present at a scheduled event or institution.

- Attending the weekly meetings is a requirement for all staff members.
- Attending the conference provided the researchers with a valuable opportunity to network with international colleagues in their field.

### 2. senior doctor

noun · CEFR C1 · American English

a senior doctor in a hospital who supervises other doctors and students.

For teachers: a senior staff physician at a hospital who has completed residency and supervises junior doctors and medical students.

- The attending told the medical students to check the patient's heart rate again.
- After reviewing the test results, the attending decided to adjust the patient's medication before the morning rounds concluded.

Usage: Often used as a noun in clinical settings to refer to the person in charge of a patient's care.

Teaching tip: This is the standard term in the US and Canada; the British equivalent is usually 'consultant'.

### 3. accompanying

adjective · CEFR C2 · Formal · Literary

happening at the same time as something else.

For teachers: occurring as a consequence or accompaniment to something else; concomitant.

- The high fever and attending aches made it impossible for him to work.
- The rapid expansion of the city brought many attending problems, such as increased traffic and a shortage of affordable housing.

## Examples

- The attending will review your test results this afternoon.
- After the residents finished their morning rounds, they presented each case to the attending for final approval on the treatment plans.
- In teaching hospitals, the attending must balance the immediate needs of the patient with the educational requirements of the medical students and residents under their supervision.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.