right of way
or right-of-way
noun, plural rights of way, right of ways.
Origin of right of way
First recorded in 1760–70
Words nearby right of way
Example sentences from the Web for right of way
British Dictionary definitions for right of way
right of way
noun plural rights of way
the right of one vehicle or vessel to take precedence over another, as laid down by law or custom
- the legal right of someone to pass over another's land, acquired by grant or by long usage
- the path or road used by this right
US
the strip of land over which a power line, railway line, road, etc, extends
Idioms and Phrases with right of way
right of way
The right of one person or vehicle to travel over another's property, as in The new owner doesn't like it, but hikers have had the right of way through these woods for decades. [Mid-1700s]
The right to precede another person or vehicle, as in Sailboats always have the right of way over motorboats, and swimmers do over any kind of boat. [Early 1900s]