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

The assessment will build on security improvements already underway. —Jason M. Volack, ABC News, 23 Dec. 2025

Torrential rain will get underway in Southern California very early Wednesday morning and continue through the evening. —Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 23 Dec. 2025

Adverb

Despite suffering damage from the crash, the store's owner says that business will continue as usual, especially with the holiday season underway. —Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025

River’s Edge is one of several upgrades underway at the Santa Ana Zoo, which has also been able to increase its staffing. —Mona Darwish, Oc Register, 21 Dec. 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