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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/
: 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 confiscate
vsto impound
144 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 seize
vsto impound
  • Formal
23 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 attach
vsto impound
  • Formal
2 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 sequester
vsto impound
  • Formal
1 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
to pound
vsto impound
1 8.2

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

takes items into legal custody for evidence security or safekeeping

Antonyms

to release
∞ 1.8

To let someone or something go free from being held

return
81 1.0

An act of giving something back to its owner

How Seized

confiscate
1 6.9
to seize
399 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.