Define "eminent domain."

Eminent domain refers specifically to the government's authority to take private property for public use, provided that the property owner is compensated fairly. This legal principle is rooted in the necessity for the government to acquire land for projects that benefit the public, such as highways, schools, and parks. The concept ensures that while individuals have ownership rights over their property, the government can intervene when the greater good is at stake, assuming the proper legal steps are followed, including the provision of just compensation.

Understanding this concept is vital in property law as it balances individual property rights with the needs of the community. It reflects the government's obligation to serve the public interest, ensuring that development and infrastructure projects can proceed even when they require the use of private lands.

The other choices, while related to property in some way, do not accurately describe eminent domain. The right to inherit property pertains to estate planning and succession laws, the process of selling land below market value involves voluntary transactions rather than government actions, and a legal claim against property due to unpaid debts is related to liens and encumbrances, which fall under different legal areas.