headway

¹ American  

[hed-wey] / ˈhɛdˌweɪ /

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.

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idioms

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

headway ² American  

[hed-wey] / ˈhɛdˌweɪ /

noun

1. headroom.

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headway British  

/ 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

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headway More Idioms  

1. see make headway.

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Etymology

Origin of headway¹

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

Origin of headway²

First recorded in 1700–10; head + way ¹

Example Sentences

That deadline has raised eyebrows among experts, in part because Washington is relying on the private sector's technological headway.

From Barron's

The Chinese plug-in hybrid specialist is grappling with flagging sales while it tries to make headway in the highly competitive full-electric market.

From The Wall Street Journal

At that point, Cadillac already had around 300 employees and had made headway on its aerodynamic design.

From The Wall Street Journal

Stocks have churned through the first two months of 2026, but the market has made little headway as investors grapple with the future of the AI trade, tariffs, interest rates, and more.

From Barron's

The NFL, meanwhile, has been unable to make any headway on headline issues such as expanding the regular season to 18 games because of the power vacuum inside the union.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• advancement