What does "eminent domain" mean?

The right of a government over the private property within its jurisdiction. Usually invoked to compel land owners to sell their property in preparation for a major construction project such as a freeway.

What is a synonym for "eminent domain"?

Common synonyms include: angary, annexation, annexure, ascendance, ascendancy, attachment.

Eminent domain

noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun

1
The right of a government over the private property within its jurisdiction. Usually invoked to compel land owners to sell their property in preparation for a major construction project such as a freeway. Philippines, US, uncountable
"The city council used eminent domain to make me sell my store."
2
the right of the state to take private property for public use; the Fifth Amendment that was added to the Constitution of the United States requires that just compensation be made wordnet
3
In feudalism, the legal interest or rights of a lord or superior in an estate in land held in fee, as opposed to the vassal's or tenant's interest. historical, uncountable

Synonyms

All synonyms

angary annexation annexure ascendance ascendancy attachment

Antonyms

All antonyms

inferiority utile domain

Example

More examples

"The city council used eminent domain to make me sell my store."

Etymology

Calque of New Latin dominium ēminēns (literally “supreme ownership”).

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