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
Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Jan. 2026
Police investigation underway Fort Worth police have been contacted for information on what led to the shooting.
—Giles Hudson, CBS News, 1 Jan. 2026
David M. Drucker, Twin Cities, 6 Jan. 2026
With the playoffs underway there is a flurry of activity taking place at Patriot Place.
—Paul Burton, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underway
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Adjective
Recruiting patients for both trials is underway, Muotri said.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Jan. 2026
Police investigation underway Fort Worth police have been contacted for information on what led to the shooting.
—Giles Hudson, CBS News, 1 Jan. 2026
Adverb
Which gets us to the exodus underway as the 2026 midterm elections approach.
—David M. Drucker, Twin Cities, 6 Jan. 2026
With the playoffs underway there is a flurry of activity taking place at Patriot Place.
—Paul Burton, CBS News, 5 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 7 Jan. 2026.
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