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
Intentionally obstructing the roadway, especially while impeding emergency access, is a misdemeanor in Minnesota, as is being a public nuisance by blocking the right-of-way.
—
Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 13 Feb. 2026
The lines will also require a right-of-way about 200-feet wide to be cleared.
—Lana Ferguson, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
The Rails-to-Trails program is intended to preserve railroad right-of-way for future bike and pedestrian use by keeping the lines intact as trails.
—Ashley Sharp, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Under Texas law, the portion of a sidewalk that crosses a private driveway is still considered part of the public right-of-way or subject to a public-use easement.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for right-of-way
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Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 13 Feb. 2026
The lines will also require a right-of-way about 200-feet wide to be cleared.
—Lana Ferguson, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
The Rails-to-Trails program is intended to preserve railroad right-of-way for future bike and pedestrian use by keeping the lines intact as trails.
—Ashley Sharp, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Under Texas law, the portion of a sidewalk that crosses a private driveway is still considered part of the public right-of-way or subject to a public-use easement.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026
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 16 Feb. 2026.
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