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

The town is commissioning a study to define the boundaries of the town's right-of-way and to review and analyze intersecting roads for vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle safety on three roads: Redding, Mill Plain and Sturges. —Brian Gioiele, Connecticut Post, 1 Nov. 2024

Another blow for Matthews: The mayor says CSX is asking the town for $130,000 annually to continue using nearly 200 parking spaces on its right-of-way. —Laura Barrero, Axios, 13 Oct. 2024

The design also facilitates access to the New Berlin Recreation Trail, the former interurban rail right-of-way that stretches from Waukesha to West Allis. —Jim Riccioli, Journal Sentinel, 10 Oct. 2024

Don't push it into any right-of-way, or onto the road. —Kristen Hinman, Axios, 30 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1768, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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