Pronunciation: ˌ r ī t- ə (v)- ' w ā
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural rights-of-way also right-of-ways
Date: 1768
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>