[right-of-way] n, pl rights-of-way also right-of-ways (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 esp. 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 ~ in the Senate"