un·der·way
ˌən-dər-ˈwā 
: occurring, performed, or used while traveling or in motion
underway replenishment of fuel
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.
Examples of underway in a Sentence
Adverb
construction of the new shopping mall is under way
Recent Examples on the Web
Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
Yes, Amazon’s October Prime Day sale (actually called Amazon Prime Big Deal Days) is officially underway.
—Emily Farris, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 Oct. 2025
Joe Otterson, Variety, 6 Oct. 2025
Production got underway this week for an early 2026 premiere on ABC.
—Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underway
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Adjective
The most recent Republican slashing of arts funding is only a dramatic example of an austerity process that’s been underway for decades.
—Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
Yes, Amazon’s October Prime Day sale (actually called Amazon Prime Big Deal Days) is officially underway.
—Emily Farris, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 Oct. 2025
Adverb
Variety has learned exclusively that Bohen will appear in the third season of the Paramount+ military drama, with production now underway at SGS Studios in Texas.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 6 Oct. 2025
Production got underway this week for an early 2026 premiere on ABC.
—Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underway
Cite this Entry
“Underway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underway. Accessed 11 Oct. 2025.
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