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

In the summer of 2024, a judge allowed Amtrak to take greater control of the station through eminent domain. —Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025

Growing up, Bare watched her parents’ farmland get portioned off by eminent domain when the county claimed some of it for a landfill. —Sarah Henry, The Courier-Journal, 18 Aug. 2025

The Hendels are one of 13 property owners whose homes are being taken under eminent domain proceedings for the Sagamore Bridge replacement project. —Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 18 Aug. 2025

The Post reported last month that Denver Water’s notices have drawn varying responses from property owners, including some wary of the potential that eminent domain could be used. —Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 13 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1783, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for eminent domain

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• dichloroethane
• dichloromethane
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• trichloroethane
• abstain
• airplane
• alkane
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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.