impound

[verb im-pound; noun im-pound]

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verb (used with object)

to shut up in a pound or other enclosure, as a stray animal.
to confine within an enclosure or within limits: water impounded in a reservoir.
to seize and retain in custody of the law, as a document for evidence.

noun

money, property, etc., that has been impounded: a sale of impounds by the police department.

Origin of impound

First recorded in 1545–55; im-³ + pound³

Related formsim·pound·a·ble, adjectiveim·pound·er, nounun·im·pound·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for impounding

Historical Examples

A provision for the impounding and destruction of infringing copies and means for producing them.
Arguments before the Committee on Patents of the House of Representatives, conjointly with the Senate Committee on Patents, on H.R. 19853, to amend and consolidate the acts respecting copyright
United States Committee on Patents
Nor can surface water be changed into a water course by impounding it.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman
Albert Sidney Bolles
So Rupert went unpunished except by banishment and the impounding of his rents.
Rupert of Hentzau
Anthony Hope
Water conservation, water supply, flood and drainage control, and impounding facilities.
Salona, Fairfax County, Virginia
Ellen Anderson
No. 2, a local act, by which people whose property is trespassed upon, are allowed the privilege of impounding the trespassers.
The Bushman
Edward Wilson Landor

British Dictionary definitions for impounding

impound

verb (tr)

to confine (stray animals, illegally parked cars, etc) in a pound
1. to seize (chattels, etc) by legal right
2. to take possession of (a document, evidence, etc) and hold in legal custody
to collect (water) in a reservoir or dam, as for irrigation

to seize or appropriate

Derived Formsimpoundable, adjectiveimpoundage or impoundment, nounimpounder, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for impounding

impound

v.

early 15c., "to shut up in a pen or pound," from assimilated form of in- "into, in" (see in- (2)) + pound (n.). Originally of cattle seized by law. Related: Impounded; impounding.

impound

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}impound

Examples from the Web for impounding

Historical Examples

A provision for the impounding and destruction of infringing copies and means for producing them.

Nor can surface water be changed into a water course by impounding it.

So Rupert went unpunished except by banishment and the impounding of his rents.

Water conservation, water supply, flood and drainage control, and impounding facilities.

No. 2, a local act, by which people whose property is trespassed upon, are allowed the privilege of impounding the trespassers.

impound

Word Origin and History for impounding

impound

v.

Origin of impound