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 2021, the VTA filed a lawsuit against the owner of the site as well as Monarch and other businesses at the location as part of an eminent domain proceeding to seize control of the property so the BART station could be constructed. —George Avalos, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026

The plan, however, ran into a major hurdle last year when South Dakota passed a law banning the use of eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines. —Donnelle Eller, Des Moines Register, 13 Feb. 2026

The partners attempted to buy the property to make way for the museum and then threatened eminent domain proceedings. —Madison Iszler, San Antonio Express-News, 10 Feb. 2026

Using eminent domain in the late 1960s, more than 240 families were displaced in the West End to make way for the Brookshire and Interstates 77, 85 and 277. —Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 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
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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.