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
Under the city’s existing ordinance, there are no penalties for violations and food vending equipment can be impounded only after it has been left unattended for more than 30 minutes.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025
If there is a violation, the e-vehicles can also be impounded, and if the operator is a minor, the vehicle would be released to the guardian or parent once the impound fee is paid.
—Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 29 Mar. 2025
The car ended up getting impounded for 30 days, and the famed momager had to create a story to keep her daughter's escapades a secret.
—Esther Kang, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025
If Henry’s men would depart, the governor would pay for the powder impounded on the warship.
—Andrew Lawler, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impound
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Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025
If there is a violation, the e-vehicles can also be impounded, and if the operator is a minor, the vehicle would be released to the guardian or parent once the impound fee is paid.
—Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 29 Mar. 2025
The car ended up getting impounded for 30 days, and the famed momager had to create a story to keep her daughter's escapades a secret.
—Esther Kang, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025
If Henry’s men would depart, the governor would pay for the powder impounded on the warship.
—Andrew Lawler, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 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 18 Apr. 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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