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
Barry Levitt, Time, 20 June 2025
The work was set to start … Continue reading More roadwork and rail projects are getting underway in CT.
—Janhavi Munde, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2025
Already, a new diplomatic initiative seemed to be underway as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi prepared to travel Friday to Geneva for meetings with the European Union’s top diplomat, and with his counterparts from the United Kingdom, France and Germany.
—Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
There may be two months to go until the 2025-26 Premier League season gets underway, but the release of the fixture list has whetted the appetite of fans across the division.
—Colin Millar, New York Times, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for underway
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
Advertisement The sporting events are underway, and Zoe (Nira Oshaia) wins her race, finding a second wind after her friend Renata (Andy Duato) goes down with an injury.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 20 June 2025
The work was set to start … Continue reading More roadwork and rail projects are getting underway in CT.
—Janhavi Munde, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2025
Already, a new diplomatic initiative seemed to be underway as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi prepared to travel Friday to Geneva for meetings with the European Union’s top diplomat, and with his counterparts from the United Kingdom, France and Germany.
—Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
There may be two months to go until the 2025-26 Premier League season gets underway, but the release of the fixture list has whetted the appetite of fans across the division.
—Colin Millar, New York Times, 18 June 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 25 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share