Define "eminent domain."

Eminent domain is defined as the government's power to take private property for public use, provided that the property owner receives just compensation. This legal process is rooted in the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which states that private property cannot be taken for public use without just compensation. The concept emphasizes the balance between the needs of the community and the rights of individual property owners.

When the government needs land for projects like highways, parks, or schools, it can invoke eminent domain to acquire the necessary property, demonstrating its authority to act in the public's interest. This ensures that while property rights are protected, the government can fulfill its obligations to meet the needs of the society it serves.