rule of the road

noun phrase

: a customary practice (such as driving always on a particular side of the road or yielding the right of way) developed in the interest of safety and often subsequently reinforced by law
especially : any of the rules making up a code governing ships in matters relating to mutual safety

Examples of rule of the road in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Also, riders must obey the same rules of the road as everyone else. Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025 The sheriff’s office highlighted the need to follow the rules of the road in its news release. Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 13 Aug. 2025 The Glenview Police Department brought back its kid-friendly bike path, a chalk drawing on pavement meant to teach riders the rules of the road. Richard Requena, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2025 In some corners of the globe, most importantly the U.S., the push to tweak the rules of the road has been met with soft denial. Justin Worland, Time, 5 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rule of the road

Word History

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rule of the road was in 1798

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rule of the road.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rule%20of%20the%20road. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!