headway

noun

head·​way ˈhed-ˌwā 

1

a

: motion or rate of motion in a forward direction

b

: advance, progress

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

• 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

By expanding rental assistance to all eligible low-income households, the government could make huge headway in solving the rental affordability crisis. —Alex Schwartz, The Conversation, 26 June 2025

Trolley lines where trains are now scheduled to arrive every 15 minutes could be scaled back to 30-minute headways. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025

And Jon Collins, CEO of touring sector trade body Live Music Industry Venues & Entertainment (LIVE), is confident the industry is making enough headway to keep the government happy at this stage. —Mark Sutherland, Variety, 5 Mar. 2025

Trump made some headway in smoothing over tensions with trade partners on Sunday. —Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 27 May 2025

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
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway
• beret

Kids Definition

headway

noun

head·​way -ˌwā 

1

: motion forward

2

: progress entry 1 sense 2