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
Katharina Buchholz, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
The construction project has been underway since 2021.
—Jason Dill, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2025
Sinkholes:Truck driver trapped in sinkhole for over 24 hours as rescue plan is underway near Tokyo
Watch: Aerial footage shows sinkhole in English village
Sinkhole prompts evacuations
Rez Mira and his family were among those evacuated from the surrounding area.
—Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
Now, more than three decades later, a new cost-cutting effort is underway.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underway
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
Specialized news site Government Executive writes that those directly involved in critical roles during tax filing season—which is currently underway—are not included in the order.
—Katharina Buchholz, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
The construction project has been underway since 2021.
—Jason Dill, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2025
Sinkholes:Truck driver trapped in sinkhole for over 24 hours as rescue plan is underway near Tokyo
Watch: Aerial footage shows sinkhole in English village
Sinkhole prompts evacuations
Rez Mira and his family were among those evacuated from the surrounding area.
—Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
Now, more than three decades later, a new cost-cutting effort is underway.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 20 Feb. 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 28 Feb. 2025.
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