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Synonyms

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.


under way British  

adjective

  1. in progress; in operation

    the show was under way

  2. nautical in motion

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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]


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Meanwhile, a landmark trial is currently under way in California, examining the mental health effects of Instagram and YouTube.

From BBC

"This incident has been reported to Dyfed-Powys Police and it has been logged as a criminal offence of harassment. Police investigations are under way."

From BBC

A fractious council meeting in December was disrupted by motorists honking their car horns outside, while a man was ejected for barracking councillors with shouts of "shame" after it got under way.

From BBC

While the strike was under way, two local officials flew to Southern California.

From The Wall Street Journal

Now that Operation Epic Fury is under way, everyone - lawmakers in Congress, US allies, Iran - want to know how long it will last, and how big it might be.

From BBC