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

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

In recent years, ITD has been in a scramble to secure right-of-ways for the extension, as the populations of Ada, Canyon and Gem counties keeps growing and as growth pushes insistently north and west. —Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 28 Apr. 2025

The project includes swapping existing right-of-way fencing for new wildlife fencing with gates, building box culverts, devising wildlife escape ramps and placing traffic signs to warn of wildlife in the area. —Noël Fletcher, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025

Drivers are required to stop and yield the right-of-way to approaching vehicles at intersections with flashing red lights, similar to a four-way stop, according to state law. —Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 21 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