oncoming

[ on-kuhm-ing, awn- ]

adjective

1. approaching; nearing:

   the oncoming train; the oncoming holiday season.

2. emerging:

   the oncoming generation of leaders.

noun

1. approach; onset:

   the oncoming of winter.

oncoming

/ ˈɒnˌkʌmɪŋ /

adjective

1. coming nearer in space or time; approaching

noun

1. the approach or onset

   the oncoming of winter

Word History and Origins

Origin of oncoming¹

1835–45; on + coming, after verb phrase come on

Example Sentences

Hazel’s giant tail keeps harassing him and she clacks her teeth, shakes as if frozen in front of an oncoming car, and makes more “nuts” puns than you might expect.

From Los Angeles Times

To avoid striking the Civic, the driver of the Rolls veered to the left into oncoming lanes and collided with a Chevrolet Traverse before fleeing on foot, police said.

From Los Angeles Times

The Rolls-Royce driver swerved into oncoming traffic to avoid the collision, ran into a Chevy Traverse and crashed into the curb.

From Los Angeles Times

“OK,” Joshua calmly says as he preps to pronounce the oncoming words flashed before him.

From Los Angeles Times

The new research comes after an increasing number of drivers have reported being dazzled by oncoming headlights to motoring organisations and optometrists.

From BBC

Related Words

• approaching
• onrushing