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

One of the next major steps is expected to involve the VTA’s formal purchase of the property, thereby ending the eminent domain proceeding to condemn and seize the site. —George Avalos, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025

Stein says key provisions in the emergency declaration include ordering departments and agencies to explore using federal land or eminent domain, which is when the government takes private property for public use with compensation. —Jeff Brady, NPR, 22 Jan. 2025

And the emergency order tells agencies to begin scouring ways to use emergency powers like eminent domain and the Defense Production Act. —Ben Geman, Axios, 21 Jan. 2025

Evictions for residents began in the early 1950s, when city officials used political tactics like eminent domain to acquire land or forcibly remove tenants so developers could build public housing projects. —Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1783, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for eminent domain

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• dichloroethane
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• 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.