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 National Park Service acquired Druid Heights in 1977 by eminent domain. —Damian Panetta, The Mercury News, 8 Oct. 2024

On Friday, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey announced her administration had formally seized a hospital through eminent domain to help keep it open and transition to a new owner. —Lindsey Leake, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2024

The eminent domain lawsuits are part of a legal process that gives governments authority to take property for public use, writes Dana Afana. —Leah Olajide, Detroit Free Press, 29 Sep. 2024

They were joined by the Sierra Club’s Iowa chapter, nine counties and roughly 100 landowners, who echoed that claim and challenged the weight given to other issues, including eminent domain and whether the project serves the public interest. —Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 20 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1783, in the meaning defined above

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.