underway

1 of 2

adjective

un·​der·​way ˌən-dər-ˈwā How to pronounce underway (audio)
: 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.

Examples of underway in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
In January 2023, Disney announced that production for the film was underway by posting a behind-the-scenes clip of the cast in the studio. Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024 Construction is underway and a late summer opening is expected, according to a news release from Hunter Pasteur, the Forbes Co. and Oxford Capital Group, developers of the Perennial Corktown apartments in Detroit. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 5 Mar. 2024 More controversial research argues that a decrease in Arctic sea ice could affect the jet stream and its associated weather patterns, and even lead to more favorable fire conditions in the western U.S. Many changes are already underway, said Meier of the NSIDC. Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2024 The search for the second occupant is still underway. Jessica Wang, EW.com, 5 Mar. 2024 The match then got underway for four minutes but was postponed again for another hour due to nearby lightning strikes. Issy Ronald, CNN, 3 Mar. 2024 Festivities will get underway on April 5, in both Phoenix and Glendale. Shawn Raymundo, The Arizona Republic, 29 Feb. 2024 Neg reg talks:Biden's new student loan forgiveness plan is underway. Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024 Steps to harden America’s grid against EMPs have long been underway but are progressing too slowly. Ariel Cohen, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'underway.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of underway was in 1720

Dictionary Entries Near underway

Cite this Entry

“Underway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underway. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

under way

adverb
1
: in or into motion
a ship getting under way
2
: in progress
preparations are under way

More from Merriam-Webster on underway

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