What does "eminent domain" refer to?

Eminent domain refers to the government's right to take private property for public use, provided that just compensation is given to the property owner. This principle 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 government may invoke eminent domain to acquire land for various public projects, such as roads, schools, or parks, which serve the greater good. This concept emphasizes the balance between individual property rights and the needs of the community, allowing governmental entities to fulfil their responsibilities to promote public welfare.

The other options discuss unrelated concepts: a tax on undeveloped land, the process of one property taking over another, and increasing taxes on properties, none of which align with the definition of eminent domain.