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

the bill for emergency aid was immediately granted right-of-way
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Under the current system, Bornheimer said, San Francisco essentially subsidizes car owners by giving them a free strip of the public right-of-way in the form of a curb cut. Jon Coupal, Oc Register, 17 June 2025 Village Attorney Peter Friedman discussed a policy in West Suburban Clarendon Hills where ribbons are allowed on parkway trees in the village’s right-of-way. Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2025 Beach replenishment also is planned, but the narrow right-of-way through San Clemente includes no room for a second set of tracks. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025 City and Ramsey County authorities must also secure sufficient off-street right-of-way to cover longer-run, corridor-wide, traffic growth and usage contingencies. Jerome Johnson, Twin Cities, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for right-of-way

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Right-of-way.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/right-of-way. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.

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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