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

Musiel also regularly performs litigation and eminent domain appraisals, providing expert witness testimony to ensure properties are taxed correctly and landowners receive full market value compensation. —Kaitlyn Gomez, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026

The city had previously launched an appraisal for the portion of the property that Tallen plans to buy — a potential first step toward taking over land through eminent domain. —Sacbee.com, 12 Mar. 2026

The council was created in 1971 to oversee the placement of power facilities and other critical infrastructure projects in the state, taking over a process that was previously controlled largely by the use of eminent domain by utility companies. —Mikayla Bunnell, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026

Knowles, 74, and his family — and his entire community — lost homes and business when their mostly Black and Latino neighborhood, known as Russell City, was cleared through eminent domain. —Ara Rosenthal, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 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.