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

Manhattan Beach took the land by eminent domain, dismantled the resort and erected a city park in its place. —Darrell Smith, Sacramento Bee, 16 May 2024

However, One Earth Energy’s pipeline and others have faced significant local backlash, primarily due to unknown health impacts of the relatively new technology and eminent domain concerns. —Karina Atkins, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 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.