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the right of the state to take private property for public use; the 5th Amendment of the US Constitution requires that just compensation be made

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

The power of the federal or state government to take private property for a public purpose, even if the property owner objects. The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution allows the government to take private property if the taking is for a public use and the owner is "justly compensated" (usually, paid fair market value) for his or her loss. A public use is virtually anything that is sanctioned by a federal or state legislative body, but such uses may include roads, parks, reservoirs, schools, hospitals or other public buildings. Sometimes called condemnation, taking or expropriation.

(Leg.) The right of a government to take the land of private persons into public use.