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

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Huntley village officials say the blow-up likeness of the store’s namesake, as well as a temporary banner and outdoor merchandise that stretch into the public right-of-way, all violate municipal code. —Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025

All serious rail advocates want a dedicated right-of-way for the high-speed rail that much of the rest of the world enjoys. —Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 11 May 2025

Veith also became the city’s lead attorney, for a while, on a decade-long effort led by churches, nonprofits and owners of corner properties to challenge their municipal right-of-way street assessments. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 12 Apr. 2025

Another officer responding to the same call in a police SUV was involved in the second crash — on east Southlake Boulevard near the intersection of Byron Nelson Parkway — when a driver failed to yield the right-of-way and pulled in front of the officer’s Chevy Tahoe, police said. —Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1768, 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