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

McVay, who is serving as the project lead after first getting involved about a year and a half ago, says the next step is securing a right-of-way permit from the city Development Services Department. —Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2026

The spokesperson said Caltrans partners with local government agencies that are funded, trained and equipped to help people sheltering on state right-of-way to find alternative shelter options. —Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 17 June 2026

Some towns, such as the village of Glencoe, forbid the planting of cottonwood trees on any public property or right-of-way. —Sheryl Devore, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2026

Among the city efforts Dunning said would be scaled back were facility maintenance, mowing and right-of-way upkeep in lower-priority areas, curb and sidewalk repairs and services in public-facing departments. —Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 4 June 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