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

Richmond officers arrested nine people and impounded four cars just weeks ago in response to a sideshow with more than 50 vehicles and 200 participants on the same street. —Sierra Lopez, The Mercury News, 26 Nov. 2024

What happens to street racing vehicles seized by LMPD? Vehicles that are allegedly involved in street racing can be seized by authorities and impounded for six months. —Rachel Smith, The Courier-Journal, 6 Sep. 2024

During his first term in office, Congress objected when Trump impounded foreign aid for Ukraine. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 26 Nov. 2024

Advertisement The driver of the Charger, Sutter said, was not at the scene and the car was impounded. —Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 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