right of way

noun rights of way · right of ways · right-of-way · ROW

1. uncountable 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.
2. countable A legal right of passage over another's land or pathways. 2000, "Countryside and Rights of Way Act (2000) (c.37)" (UK), II.48(4), “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.
3. countable 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. Meronym: permanent way
4. countable Land on which a right of way exists. New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority plans a rail line on an unused right of way of the Long Island Rail Road between JFK and Penn Station to whisk passengers to midtown Manhattan in twenty minutes.
5. countable 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.

   Similar: permanent way

6. uncountable 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.
7. countable, uncountable The strip of grass between the sidewalk and the street.