What is meant by "eminent domain"?

The concept of "eminent domain" refers specifically to the government's authority to take private property for public use, with the requirement that the property owner is compensated fairly. This legal principle is rooted in the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution, which states that private property cannot be taken for public use without just compensation.

In practice, eminent domain is often exercised for the construction of roads, schools, parks, or other public infrastructure projects that are deemed necessary for the benefit of the community. The underlying principle is that the needs of the public can, in certain circumstances, take precedence over individual property rights.

The other options presented do not accurately reflect the meaning of eminent domain. For example, the ability to tax citizens pertains to the government's fiscal powers, a right to trial by jury relates to legal proceedings and individual rights, and the power to control currency deals with monetary policy and economic regulation. Each of these concepts plays a distinct role in the broader framework of governmental powers and individual rights, but none share the definition or purpose associated with eminent domain.