underway

1 of 2

adjective

un·​der·​way ˌən-dər-ˈwā 

: occurring, performed, or used while traveling or in motion

underway replenishment of fuel

underway

2 of 2

adverb

variants or less commonly under way

1

: in motion : not at anchor or aground

The ship was underway at dawn.

2

: into motion from a standstill

The train should be underway again soon.

3

: in progress : happening now

Preparations for the celebration are already underway.

A search is underway.

The season got underway with a bang.

Synonyms

Adverb

• afoot
• under weigh

Examples of underway in a Sentence

Adverb

construction of the new shopping mall is under way

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The famous competition got underway in historic fashion with the women’s contest on Thursday, with reigning champion Miki Sudo breaking a women’s record by eating 51 hot dogs and buns. —Ben Church, CNN, 4 July 2024

In Bristol, the annual celebrations get underway June 14. —N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY, 3 July 2024

When she was born, the first season of 19 Kids and Counting (then called 17 Kids and Counting) was underway and her birth was featured on a special episode. —Lynsey Eidell, Peoplemag, 3 July 2024

The Butler County Coroner's Office confirmed with The Enquirer on Wednesday an investigation into the remains is underway. —Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 3 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

probably from Dutch onderweg, from Middle Dutch onderwegen, literally, under or among the ways

First Known Use

Adjective

1743, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1720, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

under way

adverb

1

: in or into motion

a ship getting under way

2

: in progress

preparations are under way