headway

noun

head·​way ˈhed-ˌwā 

1

a

: motion or rate of motion in a forward direction

b

: advance, progress

gradually making some headway on the project

2

: headroom (as under an arch) sufficient to allow passage

3

: the time interval between two vehicles traveling in the same direction on the same route

Synonyms of headway

• progress
• advance
• process
• advancement
• progression
• procession

Examples of headway in a Sentence

the ant was making little headway carrying a crumb that was about five times his size

Recent Examples on the Web

Both have split second-team reps all throughout spring camp, but neither has made enough headway to earn the job outright. —Gabriel Duarte, Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026

But as electric vehicles make headway today, the calculus of car design is shifting. —Bill Gourgey, Popular Science, 29 Apr. 2026

In heavy urban freeway congestion (the type common in California), rapid braking and short headways create chain-reaction risk. —Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2026

While the outlines of some of his ink are still visible, the Saturday Night Live alum has clearly made significant headway in his tattoo removal. —Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1730, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing headway

• make headway

Rhymes for headway

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway
• beret

Kids Definition

headway

noun

head·​way -ˌwā 

1

: motion forward

2

: progress entry 1 sense 2