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

Southwest Airlines Chief Operating Officer Andrew Watterson told Wall Street analysts on Thursday that there have been five fare increases since the Iran war began and that another was under way that day.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

As the performance got under way, Kendra said a staff member approached.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

“We know what needs to be done to properly resume sales,” and those plans are under way.

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

High school football transfers are under way in preparation for the 2026 season.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2026

The new musical style was already well under way by the time Mozart was a young composer, and he grew up in a Europe experiencing a sea change in cultural attitudes.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall