make way

phrase

1

: to give room for passing, entering, or occupying

… many of the old villas were being torn down to make way for high rises …

—William Murray

2

: to make progress

Examples of make way in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The petition urges the Fort Lauderdale commission to reject Tavistock’s request to rezone the land to a Planned Development District to make way for towers taller than 120 feet. — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 2 Oct. 2026

Paramount’s streaming chief Cindy Holland exited the company earlier this week to make way for Bloys. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Tristan Stubbs was included in place of Ryan Rickelton in the middle-order while Corbin Bosch made way for Lizaad Williams. — ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026

Dubbed the Brooke, this style moved away from the stiffness of the ’70s to make way for a more natural and fresh look. — María Diez, Glamour, 26 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for make way

• aaa
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• axillae
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway