headway

noun

head·​way ˈhed-ˌwā 

1

a

: motion or rate of motion in a forward direction

b

: advance, progress

gradually making some headway on the project

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 of headway

• progress
• advance
• process
• advancement
• progression
• procession

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

Pay attention to how fast Democratic Socialists of America candidates spouting collectivism are making headway. —Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 8 June 2026

Gowers, Green, and Tao had made headway on a refined version of this problem called the polynomial Freiman-Ruzsa conjecture in the early 2000s but eventually got stuck. —Quanta Magazine, 8 June 2026

Because the statewide law was passed during the COVID-19 pandemic and housing construction has been slow and more expensive ever since, data is scarce about whether the reforms are making headway on their lofty housing, transit and pollution goals. —Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 4 June 2026

In the years since the band came together to challenge country radio’s persistent gender imbalance, there has been some significant headway. —Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 2 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1730, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing headway

• make headway

Rhymes for headway

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• assez
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway

Kids Definition

headway

noun

head·​way -ˌwā 

1

: motion forward

2

: progress entry 1 sense 2