Legal doctrine of the right and inherent power of a government to take private property (such as land) for public use (such as for bridges, canals, roads) on reimbursing the owner with fair market value of the property. Although the concept of eminent domain is not a part of common law, in international law the state is regarded as the representative-owner of the national territory and all property within its national boundaries. See also confiscation and expropriation.