impound

verb

im·​pound im-ˈpau̇nd 

impounded; impounding; impounds

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

impound a vehicle

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

During the city’s crackdown, 29 people were referred to a Huntington Beach Police Department e-bike-rider education program, 55 warnings were issued, and one vehicle was impounded, according to the department. —Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026

The e-motorcycle had been impounded previously after the boy received a citation in December 2024, prosecutors said. —Nathaniel Percy, Oc Register, 8 May 2026

In all, officers impounded 77 dirt bikes and ATVs that, collectively, were valued at $200,000 or more, Beere said. —Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 8 May 2026

The county is on track to spend more than $1 million this fiscal year on animal welfare, including the cost of impounding about 1,700 animals. —Nina Burns, CBS News, 5 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for impound

• abound
• aground
• around
• astound
• background
• campground
• clothbound
• confound
• earthbound
• eastbound
• expound
• fairground

Kids Definition

impound

verb

im·​pound im-ˈpau̇nd 

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 

: 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