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

The legislation adopted in 2024 permits jurisdictions to create areas where patrons can purchase an alcoholic drink from a brick-and-mortar business and consume that drink in the public right-of-way. —Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026

Users must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians on a sidewalk and give an audible signal before passing a pedestrian. —Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026

The airline also highlighted Federal Aviation Administration right-of-way protocols. —Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2026

However, Caldwell city staff said the city already has funding and right-of-way secured for the utility extensions and can build them independently if the highway schedule slips. —Noah Daly april 15, Idaho Statesman, 15 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