Translate right of way | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish Definition of right of way
noun
[mass noun] 1the legal right, established by usage or grant, to pass along a specific route through grounds or property belonging to another: they found their right of way barred by locked gates [count noun] a path or thoroughfare subject to right of way: his new permissive path is not a public right of way
2the legal right of a pedestrian, vehicle, or ship to proceed with precedence over others in a particular situation or place: he waves on other drivers, even when it’s not their right of way [as modifier]:an infraction of the basic right-of-way rule on the first leg of the race
3North American the right to build and operate a railway line, road, or utility on land belonging to another. [count noun] the land on which a railway line, road, or utility is built: the government has continued to evade the upgrading of rights of way, tracks, and signalling
