What term is used to describe the act of taking someone's land without consent for public use?

The act of taking someone's land without consent for public use is referred to as eminent domain. This legal principle allows the government to acquire private property, but it also requires that just compensation is provided to the property owner. Eminent domain is justified by the need for public projects, such as building roads, schools, or parks, which benefit the community as a whole.

The other terms relate to aspects of property acquisition but do not specifically refer to the power of the government to take private land for public use. Condemnation is the process through which the government exercises eminent domain, typically involving legal proceedings to determine fair compensation. Expropriation often refers to the government taking private property but is more commonly used in international contexts rather than domestic law. Acquisition is a broad term that encompasses any process of obtaining property, whether through purchase or lease, and does not imply the involuntary nature associated with eminent domain.