Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Impend \Im*pend"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Impended}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Impending}.] [L. impend[=e]re; pref. im- in + pend[=e]re
   to hang. See {Pendant}.]
   To hang over; to be suspended above; to threaten frome near
   at hand; to menace; to be imminent. See {Imminent}.

         Destruction sure o'er all your heads impends. --Pope.

Impending \Im*pend"ing\, a.
   Hanging over; overhanging; suspended so as to menace;
   imminet; threatening.

         An impending brow.                       --Hawthorne.

         And nodding Ilion waits th' impending fall. --Pope.

   Syn: Imminent; threatening. See {Imminent}.

Source : WordNet®

impending
     adj : close in time; about to occur; "retribution is at hand";
           "some people believe the day of judgment is close at
           hand"; "in imminent danger"; "his impending retirement"
           [syn: {at hand(p)}, {close at hand(p)}, {imminent}]