impound
verb
im·pound
im-ˈpau̇nd 
impounded; impounding; impounds
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
Jonathan Weiner2
: 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
Finally, an officer can search a vehicle if the driver is being arrested and if the vehicle is being impounded.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 2 Feb. 2026
In 2014, Bundy and his father, Cliven, marshaled about 1,000 militiamen and other supporters to repel government agents trying to impound their cattle in Bunkerville, Nevada.
—Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 1 Feb. 2026
Both vehicles involved in the fatal crash have been impounded, and an investigation is underway.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
Both vehicles were impounded as the investigation continues.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impound
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Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 2 Feb. 2026
In 2014, Bundy and his father, Cliven, marshaled about 1,000 militiamen and other supporters to repel government agents trying to impound their cattle in Bunkerville, Nevada.
—Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 1 Feb. 2026
Both vehicles involved in the fatal crash have been impounded, and an investigation is underway.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
Both vehicles were impounded as the investigation continues.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impound
Cite this Entry
“Impound.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impound. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
noun
-ˈpau̇n(d)-mənt
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
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