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
According to the Folsom Police Department, officers impounded the e-moto because its rider — a juvenile — was the subject of an ongoing investigation into the June 23 vandalism of a car windshield at Palladio.
—
Sofia Williams,
Sacbee.com,
2 July 2026
In the video, the LAPD officer can be heard citing California Vehicle Code Section 22651(n), a law that allows law enforcement to tow and impound vehicles parked in restricted zones.
—
Jeff Nguyen,
CBS News,
1 July 2026
Police also impounded the e-motorcycle.
—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2026
The Tesla in which she was discovered had been impounded in a Los Angeles tow yard.
—
Liza Esquibias,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for impound
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Sofia Williams,
Sacbee.com,
2 July 2026
In the video, the LAPD officer can be heard citing California Vehicle Code Section 22651(n), a law that allows law enforcement to tow and impound vehicles parked in restricted zones.
—
Jeff Nguyen,
CBS News,
1 July 2026
Police also impounded the e-motorcycle.
—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2026
The Tesla in which she was discovered had been impounded in a Los Angeles tow yard.
—
Liza Esquibias,
USA Today,
17 June 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 7 Jul. 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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