have (the) right of way

1. To have the right to pass over or cut through property that is privately owned by someone else. Because I bought this land from the government, they have right of way in certain areas. Hey, whoa, no one has the right of way on my property! If you rent this land from the township, they still have right of way.

2. To have the legal right to travel in front or across the path of another vehicle. At an intersection with four stop signs, the person who arrived first has right of way. Pedestrians always have the right of way at these designated crosswalks. Wait, do I yield, or do I go? I never know who has the right of way in these situations.