impound

American  

[im-pound, im-pound] / ɪmˈpaʊnd, ˈɪm paʊnd /

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.

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noun

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

   a sale of impounds by the police department.

impound British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of impound

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

Example Sentences

But no one has called, and school administrators who helped her make calls to Minneapolis impound lots haven’t been able to locate it either.

From Los Angeles Times

The investigator took Valerio, waiving impound fees for public safety reasons, the report said.

From Los Angeles Times

Our mortgage and impound account is about $2,450 a month on this property.

From MarketWatch

The steel remained impounded pending clarification, it said, and Finnish Customs has opened a preliminary inquiry "with a view to launching a pre-trial investigation into a potential sanctions violation."

From Barron's

Jones said, “We’re trying to wrap this scene as fast as possible. We may even process him” at the police impound lot.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• imprison
• seize