- 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.
- to dispossess (a person) of ownership: The revolutionary government expropriated the landowners from their estates.
- to take (something) from another's possession for one's own use: He expropriated my ideas for his own article.
- to deprive (an owner) of (property), esp by taking it for public use
