adj Approaching or coming closer, especially traffic moving toward you.
- A healthier, stronger individual can deal with it better and is less frightened by oncoming death when it is still "miles away" than when it "is right in front of the door," as one of our patients put it so appropriately.
— Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, On Death and Dying (1969)
- Look carefully before pulling out into oncoming traffic.
- He swerved to avoid the oncoming car.
- Because it had not taken place immediately, the oncoming fight would lack spontaneity; it would be calculated, uninspired, and deadly.
— Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye (1970)
noun The approach or onset of something.
- The oncoming of winter meant shorter days.
