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

But two years ago, VTA invoked eminent domain to move the business out to make way for the upcoming Little Portugal BART station. —John Ramos, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026

The settlement is meant to resolve the city’s attempt to use eminent domain to get the land for its convention center rebuild, estimated at more than $3 billion. —Everton Bailey Jr, Dallas Morning News, 25 Feb. 2026

Sacramento’s similar effort to leave PG&E and form the Sacramento Municipal Utility District in the 1940s led to years of legal and political battles, with the city ultimately using eminent domain to acquire PG&E’s local system. —Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026

The measure is part of an effort by Klimesh to minimize the use of eminent domain. —Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register, 20 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1783, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for eminent domain

• diazomethane
• dichloroethane
• dichloromethane
• polyurethane
• trichloroethane
• abstain
• airplane
• alkane
• arcane
• arraign
• attain
• backplane

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.