headway

noun

head·​way ˈhed-ˌwā 

1

a

: motion or rate of motion in a forward direction

b

: advance, progress

2

: headroom (as under an arch) sufficient to allow passage

3

: the time interval between two vehicles traveling in the same direction on the same route

Synonyms

• advance
• advancement
• furtherance
• going
• march
• onrush
• passage
• process
• procession
• progress
• progression

Examples of headway in a Sentence

the ant was making little headway carrying a crumb that was about five times his size

Recent Examples on the Web

The charismatic Sharma takes Santosh under her wing, and while aspects of her attention feel ulterior, headway is made both in Santosh’s self-worth and in the case, which points to the involvement of a Muslim boy. —Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025

The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, the Biden administration’s 2022 initiative to effectively replace the TPP, has made little headway. —Michael Green, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2024

Several Democrats who have sought to advance women’s health research in their time in Congress expressed concern that a second Trump term would stymie the headway being made on the issue, however. —Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech, The Hill, 1 Nov. 2024

Tony Messina’s group at Hingham will attempt to gain headway out of the South Shore, with Colin Lasch and Robert Dixon serving as captains. —Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 22 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1730, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing headway

• make headway

Kids Definition

headway

noun

head·​way -ˌwā 

1

: motion forward

2

: progress entry 1 sense 2