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 Iowa Legislature is again expected to take up the issue of eminent domain and regulation around carbon sequestration pipelines during the current session. —Cami Koons, Des Moines Register, 14 Jan. 2026

Landowner opposition to the Summit project in South Dakota culminated in the Legislature’s passage of a law last year banning carbon pipelines from using eminent domain. —Meghan O’Brien, States Newsroom, 13 Jan. 2026

They were joined in opposition by Brevard County Commissioner Katie Delaney, but the CFX’s board’s majority vote nonetheless cleared the way for the Expressway Authority’s lawyers to advance their preferred route through eminent domain or negotiation. —Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Jan. 2026

Owner Ameneh Pirhayali said eminent domain forced her to shutter. —Diamond Vences, Charlotte Observer, 9 Jan. 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.