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 restrictions also apply to work that blocks or limits access to public streets, sidewalks and other rights-of-way. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026

MyLA311 defines these as public trash cans located in the public right-of-way, typically near street corners with red curbs or at bus stops. — Hanna Kang, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026

But this slam-dunk plan has run into NIMBY opposition in River Forest, where those who live near the existing rail right-of-way are alleging there would be too much disruption from, well, more trains. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026

However, the robots must yield the right-of-way or safely navigate around pedestrians and cyclists in pedestrian areas. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1765, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for right-of-way

• aaa
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• axillae
• 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