Definition of Pending Order
An order to open a trade at a specific price level that has not yet been reached. Types include Buy Limit, Sell Limit, Buy Stop, and Sell Stop.
At a glance
Term
Pending Order
URL slug
pending-order
Category
Orders & execution
Short answer
An order to open a trade at a specific price level that has not yet been reached.
Deep dives
Full A–Z glossary
Example
Example: a buy limit below market does not guarantee a fill if price never prints at your limit. Choose “Pending Order” based on price priority versus fill priority.
Common mistake
Common mistake: using “Pending Order” as loose slang while your broker/platform specification defines it more narrowly.
Professional tip
Tip: bookmark this “Pending Order” page and reopen it when reading broker specs so definitions stay consistent.
Practice tools:
Related terms
FAQ
An order to open a trade at a specific price level that has not yet been reached.
Order type and fill behaviour around “Pending Order” decide whether entries and stops execute near the price you planned.
Common mistake: using “Pending Order” as loose slang while your broker/platform specification defines it more narrowly.