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

In addition to the data, the safety committee agenda included what the district is doing to make schools safer — and many efforts are underway. —Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2024

As fall road trip season is officially underway, a new study shows just how different car rental prices can be around the country. —Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 13 Sep. 2024

Litigation is still underway Fujimori served as president for a decade after first winning Peru’s 1990 election. —Ñusta Carranza Ko, The Conversation, 13 Sep. 2024

If inclement weather is already underway, there's definitely no possibility of coverage. —Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 12 Sep. 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