easement

American  

[eez-muhnt] / ˈiz mənt /

noun

1. Law. a right held by one property owner to make use of the land of another for a limited purpose, as right of passage.

2. an easing; relief.

3. something that gives ease; a convenience.

4. Architecture. a curved joint.

---

easement British  

/ ˈiːzmənt /

noun

1. property law the right enjoyed by a landowner of making limited use of his neighbour's land, as by crossing it to reach his own property

2. the act of easing or something that brings ease

---

Etymology

Origin of easement

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English esement, from Old French aisement, from aise ease + -ment -ment

Explanation

An easement is the right to use someone else's land. If you come home to find your neighbors having a party in your backyard, perhaps they have an easement to use it — although most likely they’re just rude. If someone has an easement on your land, they have a right to use or cross your land without your permission. For example, there may be a plot of land the military needs to move troops across. With an easement, the military can cross this land legally, even though the owner may not like it. Evidently, this practice has been going on for centuries; scholars think this word has been in use since the 1400s.

Example Sentences

Prominent lawmakers from both parties weighed in against the abuse and, starting in 2017, introduced legislation, called the Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act, to halt the practice.

From Salon • Jan. 11, 2023

The editorial “Helping stave off extinction” suggested the Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act as a spending offset for the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act.

From Washington Post • Aug. 15, 2022

Back in Naco, Mr. Ladd continues his dirt-swirling ride between Mexico and his ranch, along a 60-foot road called the Roosevelt Easement.

From New York Times • Jul. 23, 2016

Apparently not finding my explanation of the Barbecue Easement up to his standards of scholarship, Keith avoids pork.

From The New Yorker • Nov. 2, 2015

Easement of hunger-pangs, Sorrow destroying, Laughter provoking, Joy invoking, In the smell of its smoking And its sweet in the mouth.

From The Acorn-Planter A California Forest Play (1916) by London, Jack