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

The dream of a Black entrepreneur to open a hotel and beach club for Black patrons in Santa Monica in the 1950s was smashed by a racist land grab by the city through eminent domain. —Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2024

If that’s true, then the only way for Invenergy to get access to her land will be through eminent domain. —Michael Holtz, The New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2024

As ProPublica and Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO previously reported, the city of Newport News seized the core of a middle-class Black community by eminent domain as a site for the new college’s campus, bypassing other, less-expensive locations. —Brandi Kellam, ProPublica, 22 Dec. 2023

Get Educated Like eminent domain, deed theft is an issue that affects homeowners of color most. —Kimanzi Constable, Parents, 22 Feb. 2024

Among the notable measures included is the rectification for properties unjustly seized through racially discriminatory eminent domain practices. —Ashlee Marie Preston, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024

The transit agency now wants to simply return to the status quo on the adjacent properties before the eminent domain proceedings began. —George Avalos, The Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2024

Amtrak has filed an eminent domain lawsuit against several West Baltimore property owners in its latest step to advance a multibillion-dollar replacement of the 150-year-old Baltimore & Potomac Tunnel — a critical piece of the Northeast rail network that is a source of delays. —Luz Lazo, Washington Post, 16 Aug. 2023

The powerful Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority has abruptly jettisoned its plan to seize ownership of a parcel in downtown San Jose through an eminent domain proceeding, according to a legal filing. —George Avalos, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 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.