What term refers to the legal authority for government to take private property for public use with just compensation?

The term that refers to the legal authority for the government to take private property for public use, while providing just compensation to the property owner, is eminent domain. This power 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.

Eminent domain allows the government to acquire land for various public purposes, such as building roads, schools, or parks, ensuring that the needs of the community can be met. The requirement for just compensation means that property owners must be fairly compensated for their property, reflecting its market value, thereby balancing the needs of society with the rights of individuals.

The other terms do not apply in the same context: escheat relates to the process by which the state can take ownership of property when someone dies without a will or heirs; taxation refers to the government's right to levy taxes on property and income; and police power involves the authority of the state to enact laws and regulations to promote public health, safety, and general welfare, which does not include taking property without compensation.