What is the term for the giving of private land by its owner for public use?

The term that describes the act of a private landowner giving their land for public use is "dedication." This legal process often involves transferring land or property to a public entity, such as a government, for specific purposes like parks, roads, or other public facilities. The key aspect of dedication is that it is meant to serve the public good and typically requires formal acceptance by the governmental body or entity receiving the land to ensure it is used as intended.

While "donation," "granting," and "contribution" may imply giving something to another party, they do not convey the specific legal implications and formalities involved in dedicating land for public use. "Donation" suggests a gift without the legal context, whereas "granting" might refer to the provision of rights or permissions, and "contribution" generally implies a voluntary provision of resources, lacking the formal process inherent in dedication.