1. the reduction of private property rights (and associated property value) due to government policy or regulation —synonym take —note 1. in the United States, this is a violation of the US Constitution's provision, "nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation...," caused by landuse regulation 2. under the Endangered Species Act of 1976, a taking or take is to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect an animal or to attempt to engage in any such conduct —see incidental takeThis definition last updated 09/18/2008