Main Entry:

right–of–way

Pronunciation:

\ˌrīt-ə(v)-ˈwā\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural rights–of–way also right–of–ways

Date:

1768

1: a legal right of passage over another person's ground2 a: the area over which a right-of-way exists b: the strip of land over which is built a public road c: the land occupied by a railroad especially for its main line d: the land used by a public utility (as for a transmission line)3 a: a precedence in passing accorded to one vehicle over another by custom, decision, or statute b: the right of traffic to take precedence c: the right to take precedence over others <gave the bill the right–of–way in the Senate>