un·der·way
ˌən-dər-ˈwā 
: occurring, performed, or used while traveling or in motion
underway replenishment of fuel
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
Jeff Marks, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
Looking at a timeline of developments by decade, the 5-year span of the 2020s has already seen higher levels of construction, both completed and underway, in office, hotel and residential spaces.
—Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2026
Luke Smith, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
With about 80 construction projects underway, Signature recently opened its 16,000-square-foot showpiece terminal, PBI North in West Palm Beach, Fla.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underway
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Adjective
The iPhone’s strong results indicate a strong product cycle is underway, while the high-margin Services revenue stream continues to hum along.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
Looking at a timeline of developments by decade, the 5-year span of the 2020s has already seen higher levels of construction, both completed and underway, in office, hotel and residential spaces.
—Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2026
Adverb
After years of hype and preparation, Formula 1’s new technical era for 2026 got underway this week in Barcelona in somewhat unusual fashion.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
With about 80 construction projects underway, Signature recently opened its 16,000-square-foot showpiece terminal, PBI North in West Palm Beach, Fla.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underway
Cite this Entry
“Underway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underway. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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