Arthur, The verb “to pend” used to mean ‘to hang or to lean’ both literally and figuratively. It is rarely used now. The pending trees were still in bloom. “To pend” is sometimes used in the business community meaning “to postpone”. Ask the boss to pend it until the new year. The transaction was pended. pending as an adjective means "not yet decided" -The case is still pending in court. -The patent for the new toothbrush is still pending. -The arrest warrant was in a basket marked 'pending'. pending as a preposition means "while awaiting" or "until" -Pending approval the drug is not for sale. -Pending completion of the new stadium, the football team will play in the old park. -There will be no vote pending further discussion. Pending means- waiting, or about to happen Ongoing adj.- still in process In process- going on, being done Ongoing synonyms….advancing, continuing, current, developing, evolving, extant, growing, heading, in process, in progress, marching, open-ended, progressing, unfinished, unfolding Pending synonyms…. awaiting, continuing, dependent, forthcoming, hanging, imminent, impending, in line, in the balance, in the offing, in the works, indeterminate, ominous, on board, on line, pensile, undecided, undetermined, unsettled, up in the air Sources: Websters 3rd International, Oxford 2nd Edition, Rogets Thesarus

Here's an example; Pending the police investigation, the thief knew he would be jailed for his crime.