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

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

More Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images/Getty Images Before a new season gets underway, the staff at The Athletic compiled a series of bold predictions for teams across the league. —Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025

There are many efforts underway by AI scholars, research labs, and AI makers to devise AI so that the AI can do a better job at coping with human delusional thinking. —Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025

Adverb

Also underway are negotiations between Shodeen and Geneva School District 304, which is the school district for the development area. —Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025

Which is why the experiment underway at Help. —Jemma Green, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025

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
• adonais
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• 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