under way

American  

adjective

1. Also (of a ship) no longer in port, at anchor, etc.; moving.

2. no longer at rest, stationary, etc.; in motion; traveling.

   We'll put our bags in the car and be under way.

3. proceeding; in progress.

   Plans are under way to sell the company.

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under way British  

adjective

1. in progress; in operation

   the show was under way

2. nautical in motion

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under way Idioms  

1. In motion, as in The ship got under way at noon . [c. 1930]

2. Already started, in progress, as in Plans are under way to expand . [c. 1930]

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Example Sentences

Attorney Lindsey Oken told the jury as the trial got under way in Brooklyn federal court.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

Preliminary data show this shift in the fiscal landscape might already be under way.

From Barron's • May 5, 2026

A sixth increase was under way late last month, according to executives.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 2026

Match referee England explained this to the two captains before play got under way again.

From BBC • May 3, 2026

Sazonov, as he recalled the meeting years later, replied that it was not possible to stop the Russian mobilization that was now under way.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman