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

Braves spring training is well underway. —Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 13 Feb. 2026

Casting on the ensemble is underway, and producers will be presenting the project at the EFM. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026

Adverb

The Winter Olympics got underway this week in the Dolomites and across northern Italy. —Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026

With her new social media operation and a national book tour underway, Harris appears to be strongly hinting at a possible return to the White House stage. —Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 5 Feb. 2026

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