expropriate

[ eks-proh-pree-eyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ex·pro·pri·at·ed, ex·pro·pri·at·ing.

1. to take possession of, especially for public use by the right of eminent domain, thus divesting the title of the private owner:

   The government expropriated the land for a recreation area.

2. to dispossess (a person) of ownership:

   The revolutionary government expropriated the landowners from their estates.

3. to take (something) from another's possession for one's own use:

   He expropriated my ideas for his own article.

expropriate

/ ɛksˈprəʊprɪˌeɪt /

verb

1. See eminent domain
   to deprive (an owner) of (property), esp by taking it for public use See also eminent domain

Derived Forms

• exˈpropriable, adjective
• exˈpropriˌator, noun
• exˌpropriˈation, noun

Other Words From

• ex·pro·pri·a·ble [eks-, proh, -pree-, uh, -b, uh, l], adjective
• ex·propri·ation noun
• ex·propri·ation·ist adjective noun
• ex·propri·ator noun
• de-ex·propri·ation noun
• unex·propri·a·ble adjective
• unex·propri·ated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of expropriate¹

1605–15; from Medieval Latin expropriātus “separated from one's own” (past participle of expropriāre ), equivalent to ex- ex- ¹ + propri(āre) “to appropriate” (derivative of proprius proper ) + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of expropriate¹

C17: from Medieval Latin expropriāre to deprive of possessions, from proprius own

Example Sentences

Its rule of law codified difference, curtailed freedoms, expropriated land and property, and ensured a steady stream of labor for the mines and plantations, the proceeds from which helped fuel Britain’s economy.

From Time

Perhaps most controversially, HKND is authorized to expropriate land wherever it wants.

From The Daily Beast

That way, if Maduro o un revergo de esos comes to expropriate me, they can take the farm.

From The Daily Beast

Iraq is now a sovereign state and its power to expropriate Camp Ashraf, after paying appropriate compensation, cannot be doubted.

From The Daily Beast

Barrs would not come to expropriate his cauliflowers and early potatoes.

From Project Gutenberg

The old theory was that the state would expropriate this industry and become the employer of all engaged in it.

From Project Gutenberg

In taking over the waterways the Realm acquires the right to expropriate, to fix rates, and to administer the river police system.

From Project Gutenberg

Our watchword must be: to arm the proletariat so that it may defeat, expropriate, and disarm the bourgeoisie.

From Project Gutenberg

The State makes him pay taxes; it ventures to expropriate him for the public good.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• annex
• confiscate
• requisition
• sequester