Seizure of private property for public use by an entity with the legal authority to do so.  Similar to condemnation through eminent domain.
Related information about expropriation:
- Expropriation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 The process of expropriation "occurs when a public agency (for example, the   provincial government and its agencies, regional districts, municipalities, school ...
 
- Expropriation - Merriam-Webster Online
 the act of expropriating or the state of being expropriated; specifically : the action   of the state in taking or modifying the property rights of an individual in the ...
 
- expropriation - Legal Dictionary - The Free Dictionary
 The taking of private property for public use or in the public interest. The taking of   U.S. industry situated in a foreign country, by a foreign government.
 
- Expropriation Definition | Investopedia
 The act of taking of privately owned property by a government to be used for the   benefit of the public. In the United States, the government has the right to take ...
 
- What is expropriation? definition and meaning
 Definition of expropriation: Compulsory seizure or surrender of private party for   the state's purposes, with little or no compensation to the property's owner.
 
- Expropriation Synonyms, Expropriation Antonyms | Thesaurus.com
 Synonyms for expropriation at Thesaurus.com with free online thesaurus,   antonyms, and definitions. Dictionary and Word of the Day.
 
- Expropriate | Define Expropriate at Dictionary.com
 3. to take (something) from another's possession for one's own use: He   expropriated my ideas for his own article. Relevant Questions. What Is   Expropriation?
 
- Expropriation | Define Expropriation at Dictionary.com
 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 ...