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REFERENCE

pending

adj. · prep.
US //ˈpɛndɪŋ// UK //pˈɛndɪŋ// pend·ing
  1. 1 awaiting a decision (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    waiting for a final decision or result.

    awaiting a conclusion, confirmation, or settlement; often used in legal or administrative contexts.

    Example

    The bank transfer is still pending, so the money hasn't arrived yet.

    Example

    The merger remains pending while the regulatory body investigates potential antitrust violations in the telecommunications sector.

    Usage

    Usually follows the noun it describes or sits after a linking verb like 'be'.
  2. 2 about to happen (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Literary Formal

    likely to happen very soon.

    imminent or impending; about to occur.

    Example

    The dark clouds were a sign of a pending storm.

    Example

    The atmosphere in the capital was tense with the sense of pending change as the election results began to trickle in.

    Teacher's tip

    In modern English, 'impending' is more common for this sense, especially for negative events like storms or disasters.
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  1. 3 until something happens (prep.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    while waiting for something to happen.

    until the occurrence of a specific event; during the intervening period before something happens.

    Example

    He was released from prison pending his trial next month.

    Example

    The judge granted a stay of execution pending the outcome of the defendant's final appeal to the High Court.

    Usage

    Always followed by a noun phrase.

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