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.
Needless to say, the best way to maintain affordable auto insurance premiums is to stay sober and follow the rules of the road at all times behind the wheel. Jim Gorzelany, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024 Each track of dialogues could first explore rules of the road that would help avoid an escalation to nuclear war by accident or miscalculation. Lewis A. Dunn, Foreign Affairs, 4 Dec. 2024 Beyond lowering trade barriers and expanding market access for U.S. companies, the agreement was designed to establish favorable rules of the road for international trade in a critical region of the world. Mitch McConnell, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2024 And just as with human economies, these markets will need some light touch, not heavy-handed rules of the road through regulation or market infrastructure, like a way to transact and transfer value. Korok Ray, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024 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 15 Jan. 2025.

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