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

Officials are investigating the source of the oil, according to Fars News Agency, adding that a clean-up effort was underway. — Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026

The 2026 Minnesota primary is underway Tuesday, as voters head to the polls to cast their ballot in statewide and local elections. — Aki Nace, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

Adverb

Of 107 major highway and waterway construction projects underway in the province, 26 projects deemed high-risk have been suspended. — Reuters, NBC news, 11 Aug. 2026

Democrats, meanwhile, remain firmly opposed to the immigration enforcement operations underway, with nine out of 10 saying ICE has gone too far. — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 9 Aug. 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