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

The competition is making major headway as well, with German automaker Volkswagen officially overtaking Tesla in fully-electric car sales in Europe last year, according to the latest data. —Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 5 Feb. 2026

Stunted drives that barely make much headway downfield are sufficient to switch over to special teams. —Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 3 Feb. 2026

For the first time since September of the previous year, a majority of voters (52%) expressed pessimism leaders will make any headway on the debt in the near future. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026

In a news release, the transit agency said the new schedule will include a 40-minute headway on the final morning run and the final nighttime run. —Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 23 Jan. 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
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway
• beret

Kids Definition

headway

noun

head·​way -ˌwā 

1

: motion forward

2

: progress entry 1 sense 2