# easement

/ˈizmənt/ (US) · /ˈiːzmənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/easement
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. legal right of way

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the legal right to use a piece of land that belongs to someone else, usually to cross it to get to your own property.

For teachers: a nonpossessory right to use and/or enter onto the real property of another without possessing it. Often takes the form of a 'right of way'.

- The utility company has an easement to maintain the power lines on our property.
- The property was sold with a pre-existing easement that allowed the neighbouring farmer to drive his tractor across the eastern field.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'to' or 'for'.

### 2. curved architectural element

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a part of a building, like a handrail, that curves smoothly instead of changing direction suddenly.

For teachers: a curved member or part of a structure, such as a handrail or baseboard, that provides a smooth transition between different levels or directions.

- The carpenter spent hours sanding the easement of the mahogany staircase.
- The architect specified a custom easement for the handrail to ensure a continuous, fluid line from the first floor to the landing.

### 3. relief or assistance

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Formal

the act of making something easier or providing relief from pain or difficulty.

For teachers: the state of being eased; the provision of relief, assistance, or support.

- The new laws provided some easement for small businesses during the crisis.
- The treaty was designed to provide mutual easement of trade restrictions between the two neighbouring nations.

Teaching tip: This sense is rare in modern English; 'relief' or 'easing' is almost always preferred in contemporary contexts.

## Examples

- The neighbor's fence blocks our easement to the street.
- The utility company maintains an easement across the property to access the underground gas lines for repairs.
- While the original deed granted a right of way, the subsequent subdivision of the land created a legal dispute over whether the easement remained valid for the new parcel owners.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.