headway

¹

[hed-wey]

noun

1. forward movement; progress in a forward direction.

   The ship's headway was slowed by the storm.

2. progress in general.

   headway in a career.

3. rate of progress.

   a slight headway against concerted opposition.

4. the time interval or distance between two vehicles, as automobiles, ships, or railroad or subway cars, traveling in the same direction over the same route.

headway

²

[hed-wey]

noun

1. headroom.

headway

/ ˈhɛdˌweɪ /

noun

1. motion in a forward direction

   the vessel made no headway

2. progress or rate of progress

   he made no headway with the problem

3. another name for headroom

4. the distance or time between consecutive trains, buses, etc, on the same route

Word History and Origins

Origin of headway¹

First recorded in 1700–10; (a)head + way ¹

Origin of headway²

First recorded in 1700–10; head + way ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. make headway, to proceed forward; advance; progress.

see make headway.

Example Sentences

But Southern California, which has made headway in other areas of leadership diversity, has lagged behind.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The Senate Democrats who finally broke with their party to reopen the government said they had little hope of headway with Republicans.

Read more on BBC

“Fred Durst’s a legend, but it would have been a completely different story. It’s like the universe gave me a day to make two years’ headway in my career.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The Ipsos poll showed Democrats had made little headway so far.

Read more on Barron's

The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• advancement