verb
impound
ihm-POWND
Impound (verb) means to seize and hold something officially, often as a penalty or for legal reasons. Example: “Police impounded the car after finding it had no valid insurance.”
verb
1
To seize and hold something officially, often as a penalty or for legal reasons.
"Police impounded the car after finding it had no valid insurance."
"The airline impounded her luggage when the tags didn't match."
noun
1
A place where impounded vehicles or property are stored.
"He had to pay a fee to get his van out of the impound."
How to use impound
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo officially take and hold something, usually because a rule was broken.
Common pairings
impound a vehicle
impound lot
impound funds
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Word forms
- Plural
- impounds
- Third person singular
- impounds
- Past tense
- impounded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Police _____ the car after finding it had no valid insurance.
Etymology
From im- + pound (an enclosure for stray animals) — literally "to shut up in a pound."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for impound
See all rhymes for impound →Frequently asked questions
What does “impound” mean?
The word “impound” means to seize and hold something officially, often as a penalty or for legal reasons. In plain terms, to officially take and hold something, usually because a rule was broken.
How do you pronounce “impound”?
“Impound” is pronounced ihm-POWND (/ɪmˈpaʊ̯nd/ in IPA).
How do you use “impound” in a sentence?
Here is “impound” used in a sentence: “Police impounded the car after finding it had no valid insurance.”
What part of speech is “impound”?
Depending on how it is used, “impound” can be a verb and a noun.
How many meanings does “impound” have?
“Impound” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to seize and hold something officially, often as a penalty or for legal reasons.
