What does condemnation mean in the context of eminent domain?

In the context of eminent domain, condemnation refers specifically to the process by which the government takes private property for public use. This legal mechanism allows the government to acquire land or property when it is deemed necessary for projects that serve the public interest, such as building roads, schools, or other infrastructure.

The term encompasses both the action of taking the property and the legal proceedings that determine how and under what conditions this can occur. Property owners are typically compensated at fair market value for their property, which is a crucial element of the process to ensure just compensation, as mandated by the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

The other options focus on different aspects of real estate. Transferring ownership refers to the sale or transfer of property rights, which is distinct from the government's power to condemn. Foreclosure is a legal process through which a lender recovers the amount owed on a defaulted loan by selling the property, unrelated to government rights under eminent domain. Finally, the evaluation process for property taxes pertains to assessing values for taxation purposes, not the appropriation of property for public use.