rule of the road

noun phrase

: a customary practice (such as driving always on a particular side of the road or yielding the right of way) developed in the interest of safety and often subsequently reinforced by law

especially : any of the rules making up a code governing ships in matters relating to mutual safety

Examples of rule of the road in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Of course, there must be clear rules of the road, but these rules are often conflicting, untested, and inconsistently implemented. —

Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 23 Oct. 2024 The need for transatlantic cooperation to set the economic rules of the road in the face of a rising China prompted the launching of the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council. —

Max Bergmann, Foreign Affairs, 22 Aug. 2022 The first 2024 presidential votes were cast today — but the rules of the road are still changing before our eyes. —

Mike Allen, Axios, 20 Sep. 2024 Industry leaders continue to call for clear rules of the road from the SEC. —

Tonya Evans, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rule of the road

Word History

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of rule of the road was in 1798

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Rule of the road.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rule%20of%20the%20road. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

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