Which term best describes the process of taking private property for public use versus compensation?

The term that best describes the process of taking private property for public use is eminent domain. This legal principle allows the government to acquire private property for public purposes, such as building roads, schools, or parks, while providing just compensation to the property owner. Eminent domain is rooted in the concept that the needs of the public can outweigh the rights of the individual property owner, as long as fair compensation is offered for the property taken.

In contrast to eminent domain, expropriation, although often used synonymously, does not necessarily guarantee compensation in the same way or is applied in different jurisdictions with varying interpretations. Leasehold refers to a property right where one party leases property from another, and partition deals with dividing ownership interests in a property among co-owners. Neither of these concepts directly relates to the taking of property for public use. Thus, eminent domain is the most appropriate term for this process.