impoundment

noun

im·​pound·​ment im-ˈpau̇n(d)-mənt 

1

: the act of impounding : the state of being impounded

2

: a body of water formed by impounding

Synonyms

• captivity
• confinement
• immurement
• imprisonment
• incarceration
• internment
• prison

Examples of impoundment in a Sentence

after his impoundment in the garage all weekend, the family dog was ready to frolic

Recent Examples on the Web

Efforts to circumvent the Hill by using impoundment or other executive maneuvers will confront the Budget Control and Impoundment Act of 1974 – a major victory for Congress' spending powers in the year President Richard Nixon was weakened by impeachment proceedings that led to his resignation. —Ron Elving, NPR, 7 Dec. 2024

But the impoundment matter was not litigated in the courts. —Franco Ordoñez, NPR, 26 Nov. 2024

Nixon’s assertions of executive authority faced resistance; Congress and the Supreme Court blocked the impoundment and wiretaps, respectively. —Duncan Hosie / Made By History, TIME, 18 Sep. 2024

Today, Houston is beginning to reassess its water impoundments and dams through the lens of chronic-care planning. —Kate Gordon, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1665, in the meaning defined at sense 1