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Glite Dictionary
to impound

to impound

38 7.2
To take and keep something by law, often cars or goods
  • verb
  • /ɪmˈpaʊnd/
translation icon : incautar
  • If the police stop you again, they may impound the car.
  • impound funds
  • previously impounded

So they impound this car because I refused to report the car stolen.

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Examples

  • The authorities decided to impound the vehicle after the driver was caught racing.

  • We're impounding it as evidence.

    Analyze That (2002)

  • I need to impound this car.

    October Baby (2011)

  • The Port Master attempted to board and impound material evidence.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • So they impound this car because I refused to report the car stolen.

    The Iced Coffee Hour

  • I insist that the court impound this exhibit so that it remains a national secret.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • If the police stop you again, they may impound the car while they have the blood analyzed.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • Well, your truck was impounded.

    Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012)

  • I'm placing you under arrest and impounding your vehicle.

    11:14 (2003)

  • Due to repeated violations of statute 1 5-C... we have impounded his vehicle.

    Treasure Planet (2002)

Synonyms

to seize
vsto impound
  • Formal
156 4.6

To take something using legal power, often for a short time

keeps items for evidence or safekeeping rather than briefly holding them
to confiscate
vsto impound
154 5.5

To take something away from someone because of the law or as a punishment

takes possession mainly for evidence safekeeping or security not as punishment
to attach
vsto impound
  • Formal
50 7.1

To take someone's property by legal order to pay a debt

holds items for evidence or safekeeping rather than solely as security
to pound
vsto impound
7 8.2

To put animals into a place where they are held until claimed

takes items into legal custody for evidence security or safekeeping
to sequester
vsto impound
  • Formal
3 8.6

To take official control of property for a time by court order

applies more widely for evidence or safekeeping not only by courts

Antonyms

to release
∞ 1.8

To let someone or something go free from being held

return
231 1.0

An act of giving something back to its owner

How Seized

to seize
277 3.2
to impound
38 7.2
to hold
∞ 1.3
to take
∞ 2.8

Surface Forms

impound infinitive
impounded past
impounded past participle
impounding present participle
impounds third person singular

Morphology

impound = pound (semi-transparent) = im + pound

Formally 'im-' (in-) + 'pound' yields 'put into the pound' (seize or confine), but many learners may not know the 'pound' = enclosure sense.

Etymology

Impound comes from the parts in- meaning 'in' and pound meaning a place where animals or things taken by the authorities are kept. So, to impound something is to take it and put it 'in' that secure place, often by law.