make way

phrase

1

: to give room for passing, entering, or occupying

… many of the old villas were being torn down to make way for high rises …

—William Murray

2

: to make progress

Examples of make way in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Take a look at the demolition of the Rufus Waterman house in Providence, to make way for a mixed-use building, and its sibling building nearby. — Will Richmond, The Providence Journal, 11 Sep. 2026

That loss has made way for invasive annual grasses that ignite more easily, increase erosion and leave less water to soak into aquifers, Barton said. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Also making way were Malo Gusto and 16-year-old Reggie Watson, who has a bright future and can hardly be blamed for finding the step up a challenge on his professional debut. — Simon Johnson, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

The building is set to be demolished to make way for an affordable-housing project sometime in the future. — Natu Tweh, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for make way

• aaa
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• axillae
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway