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 of underway

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

There are also plans underway to transform the bathhouse into a full-scale spa. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 May 2026

If the desalination project moves forward, work in the North Day Use area of Doheny State Beach could get underway by October, and the design, construction and performance testing of the system would happen in the coming years, with the desal operation online by 2030. —Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 2 May 2026

Adverb

As for what’s being done already, some speakers pointed to efforts underway in Aurora in support of workers and immigrants. —Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026

Importantly, the judge will make the final call in both phases of litigation, with the jury’s opinion in the first phase underway now considered advisory. —Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2026

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

Rhymes for underway

• aaa
• adonais
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway

Kids Definition

under way

adverb

1

: in or into motion

a ship getting under way

2

: in progress

preparations are under way