right of way

noun7

1. •
   The right to proceed first in traffic, on land, on water or in the air. Also in metaphorical senses.

   • Even when you have the right of way, you must take action to avoid a collision if another boat fails to give way. — 1994
2. •
   The priority granted to the first person to properly execute an attack.

   • In foil the important thing is to be sure you have the right of way. You gain right of way by starting the attack first or beating the blade last. — 2002
3. •
   A legal right of passage over another's land or pathways.

   • “restricted byway” means a highway over which the public have restricted byway rights, with or without a right to drive animals of any description along the highway, but no other rights of way. — 2000
4. •
   A strip of land or alignment where portions of a roadway, railway, power line, or other utilities and their associated structures and facilities is located or passes acquired through eminent domain or expropriation.

   • Phillips granted a right-of-way to the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1873. — 1941
5. •
   Land on which a right of way exists.
6. •
   The area modified for passage of a railway; often specifically the railbed and tracks.

   • For example, if a railroad is required to connect a mine and a smelter, it is necessary to construct a right of way, to lay tracks, etc. — 1948
7. •
   The strip of grass between the sidewalk and the street.