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

Detroit filed dozens of eminent domain lawsuits to acquire land needed for the solar project. —Dana Afana, Detroit Free Press, 27 Nov. 2024

If approved by the state, Public Service Enterprise Group, the transmission line developer, could have the right to obtain property rights through eminent domain. —Jessica Babb, Baltimore Sun, 27 Nov. 2024

Uribe, who signed the EPA petition, worries that his property’s value could be affected if a Superfund site is declared, or even that his property could be taken through eminent domain. —Jireh Deng, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024

Many residents fear the project would utilize eminent domain to seize property along the installation route to feed data centers in Northern Virginia. —Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 22 Nov. 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.