incoming

Incoming is a descriptive term used to denote something that is coming toward a point of reference. As an adjective, it signals arrival or transfer into a system, boundary, or location. The term appears in many domains, including everyday language, science, technology, and logistics. The opposite form is outgoing, which describes movements away from a point of reference.

In mail and messaging, incoming refers to items entering a recipient’s inbox, such as incoming mail, emails, calls, or messages. In computing and networking, incoming data or traffic are data packets or signals that enter a device, network, or service; inbound traffic is often monitored for security and capacity planning.

In logistics and transportation, incoming goods or shipments are those arriving at a facility or port.

In science and nature, incoming can describe waves, rays, or radiation approaching a surface or observer, such as incoming light, incoming solar radiation, or an incoming tide.

In people management or education, terms like incoming students refer to individuals starting at a school or program in a given term.