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compulsory purchase

British

noun

purchase of a house or other property by a local authority or government department for public use or to make way for development, regardless of whether or not the owner wishes to sell

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The taskforce has recommended new towns are delivered by development corporations, which could have special planning powers to compulsory purchase land, invest in local services, and grant planning permission.

From BBC • Sep. 27, 2025

"It will ultimately be for the Secretary of State to decide whether a compulsory purchase order can be approved and if the removal of hope value is appropriate."

From BBC • May 30, 2023

"We encourage people affected by compulsory purchase to take professional advice early to support their claims."

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2023

North Lanarkshire Council is planning to pursue a compulsory purchase order on the property but said its door "remains open" to Mr Wisniewski for further talks.

From BBC • Aug. 11, 2022

These include the compulsory purchase of tickets in what is called the "Explaining Section," a block of seats set aside by the management for the purpose.

From Love Conquers All by Williams, Gluyas

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023