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

Ecuador’s Interior Minister John Reimberg announced on March 16 that a “very strong offensive” was under way in trafficking-affected areas of the country, with 35,000 soldiers deployed.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

Reitzes: The Mag Seven are already under assault by the market rotation under way.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

The official said there isn’t any current planning under way for that outcome.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

Filming is well under way for series one of the new show, which is set to launch on HBO Max in 2027.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

Eventually, after some speech making about the contribution of chess toward a possible détente between the Soviet Union and the United States, play got under way.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady