Incoming: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word 'incoming' combines 'in' and 'coming', with 'coming' from the Old English word 'cuman', meaning to arrive.
• First recorded usage dates back to the 15th century, marking its long-standing place in the English language.
• Evolved in meaning from simply 'arriving' to encompassing a wider range of contexts, like messages and signals.

Technology

• Used in telecommunications to refer to calls, messages, and data coming into a system or device.
• The rise of email introduced the term 'incoming' for new messages that arrive in your inbox.
• In internet terminology, 'incoming traffic' describes data packets traveling to a user’s network.

Pop Culture

• The term has appeared in song lyrics, often depicting themes of love, anticipation, or changes.
• Movies often portray 'incoming' as moments of suspense, such as phone calls or messages that change the story.
• In video games, 'incoming' alerts players about incoming enemies or challenges.

Science

• In meteorology, 'incoming' is used to define atmospheric phenomena, such as incoming weather systems.
• In biology, the study of vectors often discusses incoming pathogens affecting ecosystems.
• Astronomers refer to 'incoming' when describing celestial events like meteor showers in Earth's path.

Psychology

• The anticipation of incoming events can trigger anxiety or excitement, influencing emotional responses.
• Research shows that alerts about incoming notifications can cause distractions and affect concentration.
• In social psychology, the concept of incoming social information shapes how individuals perceive and interact with others.