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
Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 30 Dec. 2025
But a shift is underway, say policy-watchers and advocates for caregivers.
—Kat McGowan, NPR, 30 Dec. 2025
Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 27 Dec. 2025
Inside, the story of the war unfolds on an impressive scale, tracing everything from its early roots to the battles in Europe and the Pacific, as well as the massive effort underway on the home front.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underway
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Adjective
Over the summer, Washington's announcement that plans were underway to study how a small nuclear reactor could power the airport drew a heated response.
—Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 30 Dec. 2025
But a shift is underway, say policy-watchers and advocates for caregivers.
—Kat McGowan, NPR, 30 Dec. 2025
Adverb
The shooting wounded two teenagers and a 24-year-old and sent crowds fleeing across the street from youth baseball games underway at Davis Little League fields.
—Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 27 Dec. 2025
Inside, the story of the war unfolds on an impressive scale, tracing everything from its early roots to the battles in Europe and the Pacific, as well as the massive effort underway on the home front.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 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 31 Dec. 2025.
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