impound

verb

im·​pound im-ˈpau̇nd How to pronounce impound (audio)
impounded; impounding; impounds
Synonyms of impoundnext

transitive verb

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
2
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Both Kansas City officials and KC Pet Project agree that the city’s current chapter on animal control in the city code has flaws that impede the ability of animal control officers to go onto private property without permission to impound vicious dogs and animals that are being mistreated. — Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2025 Ferguson was taken into custody without further incident and his vehicle was impounded and is being held pending the issuance of a search warrant. — Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025 The Trump administration’s efforts to impound appropriated funds will ultimately depend on the tolerance of Congress and of public opinion. — George Liebmann, Baltimore Sun, 23 Feb. 2025 In other instances, presidents impounded funds to save money and effectively reached an agreement with Congress. — Emily Bazelon, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for impound

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of impound was in the 15th century

Rhymes for impound

See All Rhymes for impound

Browse Nearby Words

impound
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Cite this Entry

“Impound.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impound. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

impound

verb
im·​pound im-ˈpau̇nd How to pronounce impound (audio)
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
-ˈpau̇n(d)-mənt
noun

Legal Definition

impound

transitive verb
im·​pound im-ˈpau̇nd How to pronounce impound (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on impound

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for impound

Nglish: Translation of impound for Spanish Speakers

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