Word
headway
Phoneticshead·way, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈhɛdˌweɪ/
UK/hˈɛdweɪ/
Definitions
01progress toward a goal
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. progress that you make toward finishing something, especially when it is difficult.
n. figurative progress toward a goal or completion of a task, typically used with the verb 'make'.
“We are finally making some headway with the project after weeks of delays.”
“Despite the initial bureaucratic hurdles, the research team has made significant headway in identifying the protein's primary function.”
Usage
Commonly used in the phrase 'to make headway'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02forward motion
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Technical
n. the forward movement of a ship or vehicle.
n. the physical forward motion of a vessel or vehicle, or the rate of such motion.
“The ship struggled to make headway against the strong winds and high waves.”
“The captain noted that the vessel was barely making headway due to the severe mechanical failure in the primary engine.”
Usage
Often used in nautical or transport contexts.
03vehicle frequency
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Technical
n. the amount of time or distance between two buses or trains on the same route.
n. the temporal or spatial interval between two vehicles travelling in succession on the same route.
“The city increased the bus headway to ten minutes during the morning rush hour.”
“To reduce platform crowding, the transit authority proposed shortening the headway between subway trains to ninety seconds.”
Usage
Used primarily in urban planning and public transport logistics.
04clearance height
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Technical
n. the vertical space under a bridge or ceiling.
n. the vertical distance between the floor or ground and the underside of a structure above it.
“The truck was too tall for the tunnel because there wasn't enough headway.”
“The architect had to adjust the design of the mezzanine to ensure sufficient headway for taller visitors.”
Etymology
Partly from Middle English hauedwei, from Old English hēafodweġ (“head-road, main-road”); partly as a shortening of ahead-way, the source of the nautical sense. By surface analysis, head + way.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
01. make headway
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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