impound

verb

im·​pound im-ˈpau̇nd How to pronounce impound (audio)
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 impoundedJonathan 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That was before Hoover Dam impounded the river and forever changed everything downstream. Shaun McKinnon, The Arizona Republic, 28 Oct. 2024 Malinowski was taken to the Hillsborough County Jail, and his vessel was impounded, police said. Antonio Planas, NBC News, 18 Oct. 2024 Nixon wielded his monarchical power covertly—most notoriously during Watergate—and brazenly, claiming that Article II of the Constitution empowered him to impound funds already allocated by Congress and to conduct widespread, warrantless wiretaps. Duncan Hosie / Made By History, TIME, 18 Sep. 2024 Unpaid creditors would seek to impound the oil giant’s global assets: its tankers, refineries, shiploads of fuel, and other properties. Michael Shifter, Foreign Affairs, 10 Mar. 2016 See all Example Sentences for impound 

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of impound was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near impound

Cite this Entry

“Impound.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impound. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

impound

verb
im·​pound im-ˈpau̇nd How to pronounce impound (audio)
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 How to pronounce impound (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on impound

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!