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

While some of the money has been approved and hiring is underway, the crews are reportedly not yet operational. —Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 27 Jan. 2025

Photographed by Shina Peng Around the world, preparations are currently underway for the Lunar New Year—whether that’s adding the final splash of sesame oil to a dumpling filling, or stuffing red envelopes with wads of crisp cash. —Ingu Chen, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2025

More than 45 trials are underway involving brain-computer interfaces, according to the AP, although the tech titan’s brain chip may be best known. —Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2025

But a fight was underway to replace the spoils system with the hiring of qualified government workers, regardless of their political views, whose job security did not depend on whoever was president. —Mo Rocca, CBS News, 26 Jan. 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

Kids Definition

under way

adverb

1

: in or into motion

a ship getting under way

2

: in progress

preparations are under way