easement
noun
\
Definition of easement
Examples of easement in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In the past, mining companies have taken such actions as buying land and setting a conservation easement on it, which will prevent it from being developed. — Elizabeth Earl, Anchorage Daily News, "Partnership mines old gold while reclaiming the Fortymile River for fish," 21 Aug. 2019 In his role as parks director, Urrutia helped oversee the city’s aquifer protection program, which uses sales-tax revenue to purchase conservation easements on undeveloped land atop the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone. — Josh Baugh, ExpressNews.com, "San Antonio parks director takes on new challenge at Alamo Colleges District," 10 July 2019 The farm’s owners will retain ownership of the property but will grant the state a conservation easement, which will limit its future usage. — USA TODAY, "‘Lorax’ tree legend, butter Elmo, meth squirrel: News from around our 50 states," 19 June 2019 When the rail authority wanted a strip of his land for a temporary construction easement, an agent suggested that Tos transfer his mature walnut trees to pots for five years and then put them back in the ground. — Ralph Vartabedian, latimes.com, "High-speed rail route took land from farmers. The money they’re owed hasn’t arrived," 10 June 2019 And those farmers in Iowa say pay me for the environmental services of planting cover crops and keeping more land in conservation easements. — NBC News, "Democratic debate transcript: July 30, 2019," 31 July 2019 Meanwhile, the easement holders and donees, including the Maidu, are anxious to see the job done. — Spencer Silva, SFChronicle.com, "PG&E owns land across California. What will happen to it?," 24 June 2019 The planners advocate transferring ownership of the public spaces in and around the square to a new, non-profit entity that would either own the spaces or control them through easements. — Steven Litt, cleveland.com, "Final design recommendations for revamping Shaker Square earn mixed reviews at Sunday unveiling," 30 June 2019 The proposed acquisition includes road, access and pipeline easements, pipelines, pump station, facilities, improvements and fixtures. — Julie Gallant, Ramona Sentinel, "Water district eyes eminent domain for sprayfields," 20 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'easement.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for easement
easement
nounFinancial Definition of easement
What It Is
An easement is a legal right to trespass.
How It Works
Let's say John Doe owns five acres of land. He retires and decides that he doesn't want to keep paying property taxes on the full parcel. He decides to sell two of the five acres to Jane Smith, who builds a house on the parcel.
Because the land is surrounded on three sides by rivers and forest, Jane must drive over a patch of John's property to get to her house. When she buys the land, she negotiates an easement (probably at an extra cost), which allows her to have a driveway from the main road, over John's property, and to her house.
Utility companies often have easements on property so they can access utility lines, sewer pipes, cables and other physical components. In most cases, the easements dictate what sort of activity can occur (i.e., only for driving, not building).
Why It Matters
Easements often can be negotiated, and often they accompany the deed to a piece of property (so that the users of an easement don't lose access if the property sells). Sometimes, easements become implied if the same parties use a portion of a property for a long period of time.
Source: Investing Answers
easement in gross
nounFinancial Definition of easement in gross
What It Is
An easement in gross is a legal right to use another person's land for as long as the owner owns that land or the holder of the easement dies.
How It Works
Let's say John Doe owns five acres of land, which includes a good fishing pond. John sells an easement in gross to his old college roommate, Bill, who likes to fish in the pond. Because the easement is an easement in gross, Bill can fish on the land for as long as he lives or until John Doe sells the property.
Utility companies often have easements on property so they can access utility lines, sewer pipes, cables and other physical components. In most cases, the easements dictate what sort of activity can occur (i.e., only for driving, not building).
Why It Matters
Easements often can be negotiated, and often they accompany the deed to a piece of property (so that the users of an easement don't lose access if the property sells). Sometimes, easements become implied if the same parties use a portion of a property for a long period of time.
Source: Investing Answers
easement
noun
\
Legal Definition of easement
— called also nonexclusive easement
— compare exclusive easement in this entryNote: Easements appurtenant run with the land and are therefore passed when the property is transferred.
— called also easement by necessity, implied easement, way of necessity
— called also prescriptive easement
— called also personal easement
— compare easement appurtenant in this entryNote: Utility companies often own easements in gross.
Note: A quasi easement may become an easement upon the transfer of one or both of the parcels.
Keep scrolling for more