right of way

or right-of-way

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See synonyms for right of way on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural rights of way, right of ways.

a common law or statutory right granted to a vehicle, as an airplane or boat, to proceed ahead of another.

a path or route that may lawfully be used.

a right of passage, as over another's land.

the strip of land acquired for use by a railroad for tracks.

land covered by a public road.

land over which a power line passes.

Fencing. the right to attack or continue an attack, and thus to be credited with a hit, by virtue of having first extended the sword arm or having parried the opponent's attack.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of right of way

First recorded in 1760–70

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use right of way in a sentence

Home visitation is a great example of building political support the right way—by doing what works.
Can the U.S. Government Go Moneyball?|Peter Orszag, Jim Nussle|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If you can't love me the right way, then don't love me at all.
The Chris Brown vs. Drake Feud Continues: Brown Claims Ex GF Karrueche Tran Cheated with Drizzy|Marlow Stern|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
You said that shutting down a newspaper is not the right way to warn those who may have infringed on the law.
Iran Journalists to Rouhani: Stop Lying!|IranWire|October 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The question is to find the right way, the best way to do it.
Stephen King, “Falling,” and My Father’s Poetry|Christopher Dickey|September 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST

I think maybe she feels some obligation to keep up the front of doing it all the right way with Zoey.
Edie Falco on Nurse Jackie’s Tragic Relapse|Kevin Fallon|April 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
These additional languages can be acquired easily if they are learnt in the right way.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
My heart delighted in her, my foot walked in the right way, from my youth up I sought after her.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
Yet in many cases their good sense fails to discover the right way.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles
Mr. Brownlow replied that it was the right way to make men understand each other.
Portrait and Biography of Parson Brownlow, The Tennessee Patriot|William Gannaway Brownlow
And do you know, Hilary, there's the makings of a devilish fine woman in Liosha, if one only knew the right way to take her.
Jaffery|William J. Locke

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other 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]

right of way

or right-of-way

Origin of right of way

Words related to right of way

How to use right of way in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for right of way

Other Idioms and Phrases with right of way