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

After months of slow progress and noncommittal MOUs, international oil companies are making tangible headway in Venezuela. — Eugenia Perozo, semafor.com, 20 Aug. 2026

The Renewable Challenge getty Solar and wind have challenged the status quo for two decades, making significant headway. — Anna Demeo, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Competitors, most notably Waymo, have made major headway by relying on both cameras and other sensor tech, such as lidar and radar, which perform far better in inclement weather and the dark. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 9 July 2026

With France sweltering under another heat wave, many – including the Monitor’s Paris correspondent – are wondering why the country hasn’t made more headway in responding to the deadly temperatures. — Colette Davidson, Christian Science Monitor, 24 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