What is the legal process through which the government must follow to take property called?

The legal process through which the government takes property is known as condemnation. This term specifically refers to the formal legal proceeding whereby a government entity seeks to exercise its power of eminent domain. In condemnation proceedings, the property owner may be compensated for their loss, but the process is characterized by the necessity for the government to provide a public purpose for taking the property.

Eminent domain is the broader concept that grants the government the right to take private property for public use, but it is through condemnation that this right is exercised in legal terms. Expropriation is a term often used interchangeably with condemnation in some jurisdictions, but the nuance may vary depending on the legal context. Forced acquisition is not a commonly recognized legal term in this area and lacks the formal legal standing that the others possess. Thus, condemnation is the specific process that fulfills the requirements of eminent domain, making it the correct choice.