What is the power of government to take private property for public use called?

The concept in question is known as eminent domain, which refers specifically to the government's authority to take private property for public use, typically with compensation provided to the property owner. This power is established under the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which states that private property cannot be taken for public use without just compensation.

Eminent domain is often invoked for purposes such as building roads, schools, or other infrastructure that benefits the community at large. This power balances the needs of society with the rights of individuals by ensuring that property owners are fairly compensated for their loss.

Other terms listed, such as police power, refer to the government's ability to regulate property in the interest of public health, safety, and welfare, but do not involve taking property for public use. Regulatory taking describes situations where government regulation limits the use of private property to such an extent that it effectively takes the property, but without formal condemnation through eminent domain. Property seizure generally refers to the confiscation of property due to legal violations, often in connection with criminal activity, which is distinct from the principles of eminent domain focused on public benefit.