What is 'Eminent Domain'?

Eminent domain refers specifically to the power of the government to take private property for public use, provided that just compensation is offered to the property owner. This principle allows governments to acquire land for essential public projects such as roads, schools, and parks, which are deemed beneficial for the community as a whole. The concept is rooted in the idea that the needs of the public can outweigh the rights of individual property owners, but it must be exercised fairly, with appropriate compensation reflecting the market value of the taken property.

The other options pertain to different legal concepts. Adverse possession involves acquiring title to property through continuous use, leasing public land does not involve property seizure but rather an agreement for use, and zoning laws are regulations governing how land can be used but do not permit the government to confiscate property. Therefore, the definition regarding eminent domain clearly aligns with the government's authority to appropriate private property for public benefit.