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eminent domain

(US, Philippines) The right of a government over the private property within its jurisdiction.

ˈɛmənənt doʊˈmeɪnCurrent53 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🗺️ Regional & Other
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#1·Apr 27, 2026

(US, Philippines) 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.

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

"eminent domain" means: The right of a government over the private property within its jurisdiction. Usually invoked to compel land owners to sell their property in.... This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

"eminent domain" means: The right of a government over the private property within its jurisdiction. Usually invoked to compel land owners to sell their property in.... Register: neutral, standard English, usable in most everyday contexts. Note the regional or dialect label (US) — usage may sound odd outside that variety. A common non-native mistake is to use the word in the wrong register, or to assume one fixed meaning when it is actually polysemous; always check the surrounding register and the audience before producing it yourself. In formal writing, prefer a neutral synonym or a short descriptive phrase, and use this word only when you have heard or read it being used naturally in a

Heard in the wild
  • The Colorado Supreme Court agreed that the legislature clearly allowed for water enterprises (government-owned businesses operating on fees) to exercise eminent domain power for water-related projects: www.coloradopolitics.com/2026/05/04/c...

    Bluesky· May 2026
  • It wasn’t a debate, but all five Republicans running for Iowa’s open gubernatorial seat recently answered a set of questions on abortion, eminent domain, the state’s Educational Savings Account (ESA) program and more, Kadin Luhmann reports. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/05/05/q...

    Bluesky· May 2026
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#2·Apr 27, 2026

(historical) 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.

The city council used eminent domain to make me sell my store.
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For specific readers

"eminent domain" means: The right of a government over the private property within its jurisdiction. Usually invoked to compel land owners to sell their property in.... This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

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Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.

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