underway

1 of 2

adjective

un·​der·​way ˌən-dər-ˈwā How to pronounce underway (audio)
: 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.

Examples of underway in a Sentence

Adverb construction of the new shopping mall is under way
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Construction is currently underway on two high-speed rail lines in the U.S.—Brightline West, which will connect Las Vegas to Southern California, and California High Speed Rail between Los Angeles and San Francisco. James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 June 2025 King Charles is very sick, and there are reports that succession plans are already underway. Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 7 June 2025 Production for the show is currently underway in Maryland, with last season's stars Gizelle Bryant, Ashley Darby, Dr. Wendy Osefo, Keiarna Stewart and Stacey Rusch all filming again. Dave Quinn, People.com, 7 June 2025 Netflix has not yet announced a release date for Ginny & Georgia Season 4, but the good news is that production is already underway. Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for underway

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of underway was in 1720

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Underway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underway. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

under way

adverb
1
: in or into motion
a ship getting under way
2
: in progress
preparations are under way

More from Merriam-Webster on underway

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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