impound
verb
im·pound
im-ˈpau̇nd 
impounded; impounding; impounds
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
Jonathan Weiner2
: 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
They were subsequently impounded and euthanized, including the quarantined dog, according to KC Pet Project.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2025
Provincial police impounded the Shannon car pending payment of fines of €866 (US$981) and €408 ($463).
—Michael Taylor, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Due to this attack, and Dexter’s prior history that included three separate biting incidents (two people and one dog), Dexter was impounded at an animal clinic and kept in isolation.
—John J. Houlihan Jr, Hartford Courant, 25 May 2025
The Tribune reported later that German employees at the terminal, worried that the disaster would harm the image of Nazi Germany, tried to impound the recording equipment.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for impound
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Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2025
Provincial police impounded the Shannon car pending payment of fines of €866 (US$981) and €408 ($463).
—Michael Taylor, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Due to this attack, and Dexter’s prior history that included three separate biting incidents (two people and one dog), Dexter was impounded at an animal clinic and kept in isolation.
—John J. Houlihan Jr, Hartford Courant, 25 May 2025
The Tribune reported later that German employees at the terminal, worried that the disaster would harm the image of Nazi Germany, tried to impound the recording equipment.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for impound
Cite this Entry
“Impound.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impound. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
noun
-ˈpau̇n(d)-mənt
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
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