transitive verb
- to pass an adverse judgment on; disapprove of strongly; censure
- to declare to be guilty of wrongdoing; convict
- to pass judicial sentence on; inflict a penalty upon
- to doom
- ☆ to take (private property) for public use by the power of eminent domain; expropriate
- to declare unfit for use or service: to condemn a slum tenement
Origin:
ME condempnen < OFr condemner < L condemnare < com-, intens. + damnare, to harm, condemn: see damn