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Imminent definition

ĭmə-nənt
Likely to happen without delay; impending; often, specif., threatening, looming, etc.

Imminent danger.

adjective
15
4
About to occur; impending.

In imminent danger.

adjective
11
2
The definition of imminent is something that is likely to happen very soon.

An example of imminent is a meteorologist saying a hurricane will reach a certain area.

adjective
1
1
About to happen, occur, or take place very soon, especially of something which won't last long.
adjective
1
1
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Origin of imminent

  • Middle English iminent from Old French imminent from Latin imminēns imminent- present participle of imminēre to overhang in- in in–2 -minēre to jut, threaten men-2 in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From the present participle of Latin imminēre (“to overhang”), from mineō ("to project, overhang"), related to minae (English menace) and mons (English mount). Compare with eminent.

    From Wiktionary

Imminent Sentence Examples

  • The birth of her child was imminent, if not past due.

  • There was no luggage standing by to indicate an imminent departure.

  • When an attack was imminent, I called Brady and made him swear to take care of you.

  • In 1678 war seemed imminent between France and England.

  • As Richard of York gained influence, Kempe became unpopular; men called him "the cursed cardinal," and his fall seemed imminent when he died suddenly on the 22nd of March 1454.

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