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

Trump has already begun making the case that such an incursion or invasion is already underway. —Ivana Saric, Axios, 16 Mar. 2025

An open house is scheduled for March 16, noon to 3 p.m. Private showings of the home are also underway. —Karen A. Avitabile, Hartford Courant, 16 Mar. 2025

Plans are underway to deliver two soccer fields and six pickleball courts to the site. —Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025

Grassroots efforts are currently underway for such action by production guilds and others. —Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 15 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for underway

• aaa
• adonais
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway

Kids Definition

under way

adverb

1

: in or into motion

a ship getting under way

2

: in progress

preparations are under way