pendency

[ pen-duhn-see ]

noun

, plural pen·den·cies.

1. the state or time of being pending, undecided, or undetermined, as of a lawsuit awaiting settlement.

Other Words From

• non·penden·cy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pendency¹

1630–40 pend(ent) + -ency

Example Sentences

The state Supreme Court on Saturday, however, refused to take up the case, holding that the timing of the petition came too close to the election: “This Court will neither impose nor countenance substantial alterations to existing laws and procedures during the pendency of an ongoing election.”

From Slate

Can you give us your absolute assurance that you will refrain from discussing this case with anyone in any manner and from watching, reading, or listening to any accounts of this case during the pendency of the trial?

From Seattle Times

Still, even as he solemnly nodded his head to the judge’s questions about his understanding of the sanctions he might face—including going to jail—should he violate courtroom decorum or fail to show up in court during the pendency of the trial, he was already managing to simultaneously get himself in trouble.

From Slate

If he did nod off, I missed it from my seat in the overflow courtroom—where almost all of the media will be watching from during the pendency of jury selection.

From Slate

Germain instead said the appellate court could grant the pause for a 10- or 30-day period and direct Judge Engoron to meet with both parties and Trump's court-appointed monitor to "determine and recommend to the appellate court what actions need to be put in place to prevent the Trump defendants from dissipating their assets during the pendency of the appeal."

From Salon