What is the right of a government body to take ownership of real estate for public use called?

The right of a government body to take ownership of real estate for public use is known as eminent domain. This legal concept allows the government to acquire private property, provided that it is for a public purpose and that just compensation is offered to the property owner. The principle behind eminent domain is to enable the government to carry out projects that benefit the community, such as building roads, schools, or parks.

While related terms like condemnation are often used interchangeably with eminent domain, condemnation specifically refers to the process of formally taking the property, which follows the declaration of eminent domain. Escheat relates to property reverting to the state when an owner dies without a will or heirs, and police power refers to the government's authority to regulate behavior and enforce order for the sake of public health and safety. Thus, eminent domain specifically addresses the government's right to appropriate private property for public use, making it the correct answer.