right-of-way

noun

ˌrīt-ə(v)-ˈwā 

plural rights-of-way also right-of-ways

1

: a legal right of passage over another person's ground

2

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

Synonyms

• precedence
• priority

Examples of right-of-way in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If Montecito residents want to do landscaping on a public right-of-way legally, homeowners may apply for an encroachment permit, according to the public works’ letter. —Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024

In addition to pursuing a feasibility study, officials directed city staff to start enforcing existing municipal codes prohibiting overnight camping on public rights-of-way and at parks when encampments pose a danger to the public’s health and safety. —Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2024

The high-speed internet provider is nearing right-of-way agreements to add service in Mooresville, Wilmington and Kannapolis, Jess George, head of government and community affairs for Google Fiber’s east region, told The Charlotte Observer in an exclusive interview. —Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2024

State officials said right-of-way agents worked with the roller skating rink’s owners and compensated them for the property. —Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 27 Mar. 2024

In Yaroslavsky’s Westside district, several tents occupied the Expo Line right-of-way and the nearby Pico and Exposition boulevard underpasses at the 405 Freeway. —Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024

Most recent of these is a slide near Mariposa Point, where parts of a pedestrian bridge on the San Clemente Beach Trail were pushed onto the railroad right-of-way. —Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2024

The paved trail passes through Dublin pretty much in a straight line and is absolutely level, running along the 1890s Southern Pacific Railroad right-of-way. —John Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2024

That wall, erected along the railroad right-of-way, was about 300 feet long and 12 feet to 15 feet high, made of steel pilings and wooden timbers. —Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1768, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

right-of-way

noun

ˌrīt-ə(v)-ˈwā

plural rights-of-way

1

: a legal right to pass over another person's land

2

: the area over which a right-of-way exists

3

: the right of certain traffic to go ahead of other traffic

4

: priority sense 1

gave the bill the right-of-way in the Senate

Legal Definition

right-of-way

1

: an easement or servitude over another's land conferring a right of passage

2

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