right-of-way
Quick Summary
A right-of-way is a legal right that allows passage over another person's property. This can refer to the specific area of land used for passage, such as a road or railroad strip, or the legal precedence given to one vehicle or person over another.1
In property law, a right-of-way is a type of easement, which is a privilege to use another's land. This right remains even if the burdened land is transferred to a new owner. Easements can be created through express grants, implication (like when land is divided and one part needs access across the other), or prescription (continuous, uncontested use over time).2
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
