What does underway mean?
Definitions for underway
ˈʌn dərˌweɪ, -ˈweɪun·der·way
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word underway.
Princeton's WordNet
afoot(p), underwayadjective
currently in progress
"there is mischief afoot"; "plans are afoot"; "preparations for the trial are underway"
Wiktionary
underwaynoun
a road, track, path, or street for going under another way or obstacle
underwaynoun
an underground passage, tunnel
underwaynoun
a voyage, especially underwater
underwaynoun
(computer science) subroutine
underwayadverb
in motion, in progress; being done or carried out
Wikipedia
Underway
Underway, or under way, is a nautical term describing the state of a vessel. "Way" arises when there is sufficient water flow past the rudder of a vessel that it can be steered. A vessel is said to be underway if it meets the following criteria: It is not aground It is not at anchor It has not been made fast to a dock, the shore, or other stationary object.If a vessel is adrift and not being propelled by any instrument or device, it is said to be underway, not making way."Under weigh" is a variation, coming from folk etymology, first used in 1749. "Under way" is likely from the Dutch onderweg or Middle Dutch onderwegen (lit. "under" or "among the ways"). Weigh is also a synonym for hanging or dangling, so that the process of raising an anchor, which causes it to hang at the end of the anchor-rope or chain is called “weighing [the] anchor” which leads to confusion between weigh and way, since both are pronounced identically.
ChatGPT
underway
Underway refers to the state of already having started or currently in progress. It is often used to describe events, activities, projects, or processes that have begun and are ongoing.
Wikidata
Underway
Underway, or Under Way is a nautical term describing the state of a vessel. A vessel is said to be underway if it meets the following criteria: ⁕It is not aground ⁕It is not at anchor ⁕It has not been made fast to a dock, the shore, or other stationary object. If a vessel is adrift and not being propelled by any instrument or device, it is said to be underway, not making way. The concept of whether a vessel is or is not underway has important legal ramifications. For example, in many jurisdictions a child must be wearing a personal flotation device at the time the vessel is underway.
Usage in printed sourcesFrom:
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Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of underway in Chaldean Numerology is: 3
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of underway in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3
Examples of underway in a Sentence
Chief Executive Ben van Beurden:
Where possible, we try to spare (New Energies) a little bit and that is basically because we still believe that there is an energy transition underway which may even pick up speed in the recovery phase of this crisis and we want to be well positioned for it.
Markets are in general regaining their composure, the earnings disappointments in the U.S. are being absorbed in Europe, largely down to the fact that valuations are not excessive... A debt bailout of Greece is also slowly getting underway.
We need to be consulting with communities; we need to be partnering with indigenous peoples; we need to be reassuring Canadians that the science and environmental impact and the risks are being properly monitored, however, we do need to continue to allow processes ... underway where proponents of a broad range of projects can attempt to acquire the social license that simply was not available, even as a theoretical option, over the past years.
I do think there's a bit of an arms race underway.
Since assuming his new role on Feb. 20, Acting DNI Acting DNI Grenell and the ODNI leadership team have embarked on a careful review of these studies completed prior to his arrival, with an eye to implementing key recommendations, while the review is underway, Acting DNI Grenell has asked for a temporary, short-term pause in external hiring. A similar hiring pause was implemented in 2018 as part of ODNI's first Transformation effort.
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Translations for underway
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"underway." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 22 Feb. 2025. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/underway>.
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