right of way: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal / Semi-formal / Technical
Quick answer
What does “right of way” mean?
The legal right to proceed or pass in front of another person or vehicle, or a path/road over which this right exists.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The legal right to proceed or pass in front of another person or vehicle, or a path/road over which this right exists.
A legally established right to pass over another's land (easement); precedence in movement or priority in law; the strip of land over which a public road, railway, or power line is built.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In UK, often used for public footpaths across private land (e.g., 'a public right of way'). In US, more strongly associated with traffic rules (e.g., 'Who has the right of way?').
Connotations
UK: Strong connection to rambling, countryside access, and property law. US: Primarily evokes driving rules and traffic intersections.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK English in contexts of land access and walking. Slightly higher frequency in US English in contexts of driving instruction.
Grammar
How to Use “right of way” in a Sentence
[Subject] has the right of way.There is a public right of way across [Location].[Subject] yielded the right of way to [Object].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “right of way” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The right-of-way path is marked on the ordinance survey map.
American English
- We're in a right-of-way dispute with our neighbor over the driveway.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Negotiating easements for utility lines or access roads on property.
Academic
In law or urban planning papers discussing property rights and public access.
Everyday
Discussing who should go first at a junction or talking about a walking path.
Technical
In highway codes, traffic engineering, or real estate law documents.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “right of way”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “right of way”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “right of way”
- Using 'right-of-way' as an adjective without hyphens correctly (e.g., 'a right-of-way dispute').
- Saying 'rights of ways' for the plural (correct: 'rights of way').
- Confusing 'right of way' with simply 'having the right way' (being correct).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The plural is 'rights of way'.
The core legal concept is similar, but common usage differs. British English emphasizes public footpaths; American English emphasizes traffic rules.
Yes, absolutely. Pedestrians often have the right of way at marked crossings, and a 'public right of way' often refers specifically to pedestrian paths.
The noun phrase is usually written without hyphens ('right of way'). Hyphens are used when it functions as a compound modifier before a noun (e.g., 'a right-of-way agreement').
The legal right to proceed or pass in front of another person or vehicle, or a path/road over which this right exists.
Right of way is usually formal / semi-formal / technical in register.
Right of way: in British English it is pronounced /ˌraɪt əv ˈweɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌraɪt əv ˈweɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He thinks he owns the right of way (arrogant assumption of priority).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a knight (sounds like 'right') standing at a crossroads FORKing the WAY. He has the RIGHT to choose which FORK in the WAY to go first.
Conceptual Metaphor
MOVEMENT IS A RESOURCE TO BE ALLOCATED. SPACE IS A COMMODITY WITH RIGHTS.
Practice
Quiz
In British English, what is a 'public right of way' most commonly?