* Verb: This is the most common usage. "Approaching" describes an action of moving closer to something. For example: "The train is approaching the station."
* Participle: "Approaching" can also act as a present participle, which can be used as an adjective or part of a verb phrase.
* Adjective: "The approaching storm brought heavy rain."
* Part of a verb phrase: "The birds were approaching the feeder."
* Gerund: "Approaching" can be used as a gerund, which acts as a noun. For example: "Approaching the finish line is the most exciting part of the race."
So, the part of speech for "approaching" depends on how it's used in a sentence.