impound

[im-pound, im-pound]

verb (used with object)

1. to shut up in a pound or other enclosure, as a stray animal.

2. to confine within an enclosure or within limits.

   water impounded in a reservoir.

3. to seize and retain in custody of the law, as a document for evidence.

noun

1. money, property, etc., that has been impounded.

   a sale of impounds by the police department.

impound

/ ɪmˈpaʊnd /

verb

1. to confine (stray animals, illegally parked cars, etc) in a pound

2. 1. to seize (chattels, etc) by legal right

   2. to take possession of (a document, evidence, etc) and hold in legal custody

3. to collect (water) in a reservoir or dam, as for irrigation

4. to seize or appropriate

Other Word Forms

• impoundable adjective
• impounder noun
• unimpounded adjective
• impoundage noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of impound¹

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

Example Sentences

The merchant whose van was impounded fell foul of a rule covering "mobile vendors" that stipulates he must move his vehicle every four hours, Pisani explained.

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Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Harry Truman regularly impounded funds during World War II. Even Dwight Eisenhower, a fiscal conservative, quietly held back highway funding when inflation soared.

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Two days later, the Tesla was impounded and towed to the Hollywood yard.

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Two days later, the Tesla was impounded and towed to the Hollywood tow yard.

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The car, registered to the singer, was impounded before the grisly discovery was made.

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Related Words

• imprison 
• seize