un·der·way
| \ ˌən-dər-ˈwā
\
\
Definition of underway
(Entry 1 of 2)
: occurring, performed, or used while traveling or in motion
underway replenishment of fuel
underway
adverb
variants:
or less commonly under way
Definition of underway (Entry 2 of 2)
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
.
Learn More About underway
Statistics for underway
Look-up Popularity
Cite this Entry
“Underway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underway. Accessed 15 Aug. 2022.
Style: MLA
MLA
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Test Your Vocabulary
Challenging Words You Should Know
-
- Often used to describe “the march of time,” what does inexorable mean?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share underway
Time Traveler for underway
The first known use of underway was in 1720
See more words from the same year