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

Analysts at the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS), who reviewed recent satellite imagery, say that construction is still underway at the site. — Chris Boccia, ABC News, 21 July 2026

The California State Fair is currently underway at Cal Expo in Sacramento, from July 17 to August 2. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026

Adverb

The comptroller’s report last year estimated that the subsidy-eligible projects underway would yield more than 15,000 rental units, and more have entered the pipeline since then. — Andrew Rice, Curbed, 23 July 2026

There is a very large wave of biotech acquisitions underway, and not all of them involve companies being bought by Eli Lilly . — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 20 July 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
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• axillae
• 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