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

Now that Prime Day 2024 is officially underway, Amazon is dropping thousands of baby deals on everything from strollers and car seats to baby clothes and toys. —Chaunie Brusie, Rn, Parents, 16 July 2024

Trump and Kennedy met in person on Monday in Milwaukee, where the Republican National Convention is underway. —Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 16 July 2024

The Republican National Convention is underway in Milwaukee. —Jason Armond, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2024

The convention is underway in the shadows of an assassination attempt against Trump, at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, over the weekend. —Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 16 July 2024

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

Kids Definition

under way

adverb

1

: in or into motion

a ship getting under way

2

: in progress

preparations are under way