under way

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
under/ˈʌndə(r)/

▶preposition

• 1 extending or directly below.

  ■ below or behind so as to cover or protect.

  ■ planted with.

• 2 at a lower level, layer, or grade than.

• 3 expressing submission or subordination.

  ■ as provided for by the rules of; in accordance with.

  ■ used to express grouping or classification.

• 4 lower than (a specified amount, rate, or norm).

• 5 undergoing (a process).

▶adverb

• 1 extending or directly below something.

• 2 affected by an anaesthetic; unconscious.

– phrases
under way

• 1 (of a boat) moving through the water.

• 2 having started and making progress.

– derivatives
undermost adjective.

– origin OE, of Gmc origin.