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.

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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

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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

At a March 2025 gathering at Town Hall, the council voted to claim a public easement on Horning’s land.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

In 2015, Trump announced he would forgo his plans to build homes on 16 additional lots, instead granting an 11.5-acre conservation easement to the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 13, 2024

"If they can win over just enough to clear enough hurdles to get the next easement or next little contract or permit approved, they know they'll be able to get their work done."

From Salon • Aug. 20, 2024

At a cost of $5,000 to $20,000 for each easement, much of it going to pay lawyers, safeguarding history is not cheap.

From New York Times • Jan. 30, 2024

He meant with your mind, and Will did it instantly, sensing the minute snags and then the minute easement as the edges lined up perfectly.

From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman