right-of-way

noun

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

Examples of right-of-way in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web 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 The state expects to sign environmental documents this spring that would allow for the construction and begin buying right-of-way this summer. Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 2 Feb. 2024 Running through its length was the four-track bed of the New York Central, which lay in a right-of-way that had been turned over to the railroad by the city half a century before. Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2024 Atmos is responsible for the gas lines and infrastructure that are largely in public right-of-ways, such as under streets and sidewalks. Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Jan. 2024 Also, city employees were asked to put together a fee system, so the city can soon start charging rent for the ones that have been built on parking spots in the public road right-of-way. Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Dec. 2023 The city does not charge restaurants a fee to use the city right-of-way areas as dining spots, but may want to consider doing so, the staff report states. Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'right-of-way.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1768, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of right-of-way was in 1768

Dictionary Entries Near right-of-way

Cite this Entry

“Right-of-way.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/right-of-way. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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