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 also impounded several vehicles associated with the street-racing activity. —Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026

Burke's car was impounded after it was reported abandoned in the Hollywood Hills, prosecutors said. —Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026

The car was impounded the previous week after being abandoned in the Hollywood Hills, where neighbors complained of a rotting smell. —Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026

Authorities also recovered multiple firearms in the search, and both vehicles involved in the traffic stop were impounded. —Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 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