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impound

[ verb im-pound; noun im-pound ]
/ verb ɪmˈpaʊnd; noun ˈɪm paʊnd /
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See synonyms for: impound / impounded on Thesaurus.com

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.
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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

Origin of impound

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

OTHER WORDS FROM impound

im·pound·a·ble, adjectiveim·pound·er, nounun·im·pound·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use impound in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for impound

impound
/ (ɪmˈpaʊnd) /

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 forms of impound

impoundable, 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
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