rule of the road

noun phrase

: a customary practice (such as driving always on a particular side of the road or yielding the right of way) developed in the interest of safety and often subsequently reinforced by law
especially : any of the rules making up a code governing ships in matters relating to mutual safety

Examples of rule of the road in a Sentence

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.
Americans disproportionately care about crypto and want clear rules of the road for digital assets. Javier Bastardo, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024 Washington will have to convince skeptics around the world that agreeing on certain rules of the road for responsible behavior is possible, even with Moscow and Beijing. Ulrich Kühn, Foreign Affairs, 14 June 2023 Of course, there must be clear rules of the road, but these rules are often conflicting, untested, and inconsistently implemented. Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 23 Oct. 2024 The need for transatlantic cooperation to set the economic rules of the road in the face of a rising China prompted the launching of the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council. Max Bergmann, Foreign Affairs, 22 Aug. 2022 See all Example Sentences for rule of the road 

Word History

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rule of the road was in 1798

Dictionary Entries Near rule of the road

Cite this Entry

“Rule of the road.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rule%20of%20the%20road. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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