underway

1 of 2

adjective

un·​der·​way ˌən-dər-ˈwā 

: 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.

Synonyms of underway

Adverb

• afoot
• under weigh

Examples of underway in a Sentence

Adverb

construction of the new shopping mall is under way

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Pride Festival got underway at noon on Saturday in Allegheny Commons Park on the North Side. —Patrick Damp, CBS News, 6 June 2026

With primaries for the approaching 2026 midterm elections already underway, Americans must vote for candidates who will protect and promote American democracy. —Matthew E.k. Hall, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026

Adverb

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas described the project as part of a much longer effort to reinvest in the district and said the work underway at 18th and Vine is far from complete. —Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026

Such restrictions could undercut efforts by Chinese AI firms to retain prized engineers, Bloomberg noted, especially with a domestic talent war underway. —semafor.com, 29 May 2026

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

Rhymes for underway

• aaa
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• axillae
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway

Kids Definition

under way

adverb

1

: in or into motion

a ship getting under way

2

: in progress

preparations are under way