impound

verb

im·​pound im-ˈpau̇nd How to pronounce impound (audio)
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
c
: to take possession of
she was dismissed and her manuscript impoundedJonathan 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.
According to the probable cause statement, those dogs were caught and impounded. Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025 The government’s coffers must then be impounded and redirected, according to the blogger. Ed Simon, TIME, 24 Mar. 2025 Among the changes the city also sought was to delineate when police can impound goods, equipment, and merchandise, including preventing vendors from leaving those items unattended. Devan Patel, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025 Separately, lawmakers are weighing Trump’s interest in impounding funding already approved by Congress. Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 24 Mar. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Impound.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impound. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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