Which term best describes taking private property for public use?

Eminent domain is the legal principle that allows a government or its agent to take private property for public use, typically with compensation to the owner. This concept is rooted in the belief that the needs of the public, such as infrastructure projects or community developments, may necessitate the appropriation of private lands. The government must follow a legal process, which includes demonstrating that the taking is for a public purpose and providing just compensation for the property taken. Eminent domain balances the rights of the property owner with the needs of society at large, ensuring that while individual property rights are protected, public interests can still be served.

The other terms listed relate to different legal concepts. Escheat refers to the process by which unclaimed or abandoned property reverts to the state, while adverse possession involves acquiring ownership of land by continuous possession under certain conditions. Accretion refers to the gradual buildup of land through natural forces, such as sediment deposition. None of these terms pertain to the taking of private property for public uses in the same way that eminent domain does.