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
Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News, 3 May 2025
But among church leaders, talk about who will next lead the 2,000-year-old church is already underway, according to experts.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 3 May 2025
Jury selection is scheduled to get underway on Monday.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 2 May 2025
May 2025 will be packed with spectacular sights for stargazers — and the action gets underway immediately.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for underway
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Adjective
The hospital said the boy was already back at the Wentz home, where Christmas preparations were underway.
—Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News, 3 May 2025
But among church leaders, talk about who will next lead the 2,000-year-old church is already underway, according to experts.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 3 May 2025
Jury selection is scheduled to get underway on Monday.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 2 May 2025
May 2025 will be packed with spectacular sights for stargazers — and the action gets underway immediately.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 1 May 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 8 May. 2025.
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