eminent domain

noun

: a right of a government to take private property for public use by virtue of the superior dominion of the sovereign power over all lands within its jurisdiction

Examples of eminent domain in a Sentence

The state took the homes by eminent domain to build the new road.

Recent Examples on the Web

Downtown bar Moses Roses will be demolished to make way for the museum after a yearlong eminent domain dispute. —Madalyn Mendoza, Axios, 30 Sep. 2024

Advertisement With an eye toward redeveloping the area for a new housing project, the city began pursuing residents’ properties in the early 1950s through eminent domain and below-market offers. —Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2024

In 2022, the Texas Supreme Court ruled that the private company Texas Central Railway, which has been behind that project for years, can exercise eminent domain, or take private property, for the bullet train. —Timothy Malcolm, Chron, 14 Sep. 2024

The National Park Service acquired Druid Heights in 1977 by eminent domain. —Damian Panetta, The Mercury News, 8 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1783, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

eminent domain

noun

: a right of a government to take private property for public use

Legal Definition

eminent domain

noun

em·​i·​nent do·​main

ˈe-mə-nənt-

: the right of the government to take property from a private owner for public use by virtue of the superior dominion of its sovereignty over all lands within its jurisdiction see also condemn, expropriate, take sense 1b

Note: The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution requires the government to compensate the owner of property taken by eminent domain, stating “nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.” State constitutions contain similar provisions requiring that the property owner receive just compensation for the property taken.