oncoming

adjective

on·​com·​ing ˈȯn-ˌkə-miŋ 

ˈän-

1

a

: coming nearer in time or space

the oncoming year

an oncoming car

b

: future

looked forward to his oncoming visit

2

: emergent, rising

the oncoming generation

Synonyms

• approaching
• coming
• forthcoming
• imminent
• impending
• nearing
• pending
• proximate
• upcoming

Examples of oncoming in a Sentence

we're looking forward to your oncoming visit

Recent Examples on the Web

The tower operators sitting at the board pressed buttons along the track lines, setting routes through the interlocking for oncoming subways as radio chatter crackled from their crews. —Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 9 Dec. 2024

Fully horizontal meant that oncoming traffic should stop; when the arms were lowered to a 30-degree tilt, traffic could proceed with caution. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Dec. 2024

The Premium option costs £2,000 more but includes a higher quality B&O sound system and converts the LED headlights to a matrix variant, a technology that only cuts the part of the beam that might blind oncoming traffic. —James Morris, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024

Each morning Oura will provide a score for any detection of oncoming illness — no signs, minor signs and major signs. —Emily Burns, WWD, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1844, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

oncoming

adjective

on·​com·​ing ˈȯn-ˌkəm-iŋ 

ˈän-

: coming nearer

oncoming traffic