right-of-way

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ˈright of ˈway or ˈright-of-ˈway, n., pl. rights of way, right of ways or rights-of-way, right-of-ways. 

1. the right to proceed ahead of another vehicle:
   [uncountable] At the stop sign she had the right of way.
2. [countable] a path or area of land that may lawfully be used or crossed.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

right′ of way′, pl. rights of way, right of ways. 

1. a common law or statutory right granted to a vehicle, as an airplane or boat, to proceed ahead of another.
2. a path or route that may lawfully be used.
3. a right of passage, as over another's land.
4. Rail Transport the strip of land acquired for use by a railroad for tracks.
5. Civil Engineering land covered by a public road.
6. land over which a power line passes.
7. Sport [Fencing.] the right to attack or continue an attack, and thus to be credited with a hit, by virtue of having first extended the sword arm or having parried the opponent's attack.

Also, right′-of-way′. 

• 1760–70