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
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 9 Dec. 2025
Meanwhile, investigations are underway in Ireland and France after two more incidents this week involving unidentified drones flying close to the coastlines of each country, marking the latest in a string of unexplained sightings in several European countries since September.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 8 Dec. 2025
Greg Wehner , Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 8 Dec. 2025
Sudan Retold, an immersive exhibition underway in London, explores the country’s history through paintings, photography, and prose.
—Preeti Jha, semafor.com, 8 Dec. 2025
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Adjective
Early-stage financing conversations are underway.
—Adverb
One of the clearest indications of the work underway came from the metal paint cans agents carried out of the home.
—Cite this Entry
“Underway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underway. Accessed 10 Dec. 2025.
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