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
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
The developer has agreed to deliver the village a deed for two acres of right-of-way that will be dedicated for the Wolfs Crossing and Douglas roads roundabout.
—Linda Girardi, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025
The bid opening had to be pushed back from May to July 15, because right-of-way had to be purchased from three property owners near the bridge, said Mike Jabo, director of the Porter County Department of Development and Stormwater Management.
—Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025
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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
The developer has agreed to deliver the village a deed for two acres of right-of-way that will be dedicated for the Wolfs Crossing and Douglas roads roundabout.
—Linda Girardi, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025
The bid opening had to be pushed back from May to July 15, because right-of-way had to be purchased from three property owners near the bridge, said Mike Jabo, director of the Porter County Department of Development and Stormwater Management.
—Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for right-of-way
Cite this Entry
“Right-of-way.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/right-of-way. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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