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 of right-of-way

• precedence
• priority

Examples of right-of-way in a Sentence

the bill for emergency aid was immediately granted right-of-way

Recent Examples on the Web

Users must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians on a sidewalk and give an audible signal before passing a pedestrian. —Kendrick Calfee updated April 10, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026

Placer County officials said the remaining $28 million not part of the construction contract would go to pay for right-of-way acquisition, environmental permits, a design consultant contract, relocation of PG&E power lines, county staff time and construction management. —Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2026

This means the Purple Line will run alongside traffic or in a separate right-of-way, whereas the Metro is separated from cars and pedestrians. —Mike Stunson, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2026

The leading causes of crashes that resulted in injuries were failing to yield the right-of-way, or left-turn collisions, and failure to reduce speed, or rear-end collisions, the news release said. —Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1765, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for right-of-way

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

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