impound

verb

im·​pound im-ˈpau̇nd 

impounded; impounding; impounds

transitive verb

1

a

: to shut up in or as if in a pound : confine

b

: to seize and hold in the custody of the law

c

: to take possession of

she was dismissed and her manuscript impounded

—Jonathan Weiner

2

: to collect and confine (water) in or as if in a reservoir

Examples of impound in a Sentence

The police impounded her car because it was illegally parked.

impound evidence for a trial

Recent Examples on the Web

Other potential responses focus on the perpetrators rather than the puppeteers, prosecuting the petty criminals who carry out acts of sabotage or, in the Baltic Sea, boarding and impounding the offending vessel, as Finland did recently, and following up with a court case. —Tamar Jacoby, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025

After reviewing our contract and proof of payment, the movers were ordered to give us our belongings or be arrested for larceny and their trucks be impounded. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2025

Police said three firearms were recovered and impounded. —Elena Santa Cruz, The Arizona Republic, 26 Dec. 2024

Under Proposal 314, people who organize, promote or drive in a street racing event can be fined up to $1,000 for a first offense, and police will be able to impound participants' cars and motorcycles for at least 30 days. —Ryan Murphy, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

impound

verb

im·​pound im-ˈpau̇nd 

1

: to shut up in or as if in an enclosed place

2

: to seize and hold in the hands of the law

impound evidence for a trial

impoundment

-ˈpau̇n(d)-mənt

noun

Legal Definition

impound

transitive verb

im·​pound im-ˈpau̇nd 

: to take control of in the custody of the law or by legal authority

impound a vehicle

the police impounded the dwelling until the search warrant was obtained

impoundment noun