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

Police are allowed to impound bikes in certain circumstances, and parents can be held responsible for code violations when the person who committed the violation is a minor. — Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 23 Sep. 2026

Vehicles used in sideshows can also be impounded for an additional 30 days upon conviction. — Tim Fang, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026

If an underage driver is caught with alcohol and the owner of the vehicle isn’t old enough to legally drink, the car can be impounded at the owners expense for no more than 30 days for each violation. — Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Ehmen was arrested and put in jail, and his three dogs were impounded. — Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 1 Sep. 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