UNDER WAY


Meaning of UNDER WAY in English

I. adverb

Etymology: probably from Dutch onderweg, onderwege, from Middle Dutch onderwegen, onderwege, from onder between, among + wegen, wege, dative & accusative plural of wech way; akin to Old High German untar between, among and to Old High German wec way — more at inter- , way

1. : in motion : not at rest : not moored : not at anchor

2. : into motion from a standstill

an electric train gets under way rapidly

3. : in process of development : in progress toward completion : afoot

preparations for a big celebration were under way

before the discussion was well under way

II. adverb

1. of a ship or boat

a. : in motion through the water

b. : not at anchor : not made fast to the shore : not aground

2. : in motion along a course : in progress : on the way

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.