impound
impound Lexical Profile
impound Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To seize and take legal custody of something, especially a vehicle, goods, or a document, because of an infringement of a law or regulation.
"The police will impound any vehicle parked illegally in front of the emergency exit."
To shut up or confine domestic or stray animals in an enclosed pound.
"Animal control officers were called to impound the stray cattle wandering near the highway."
To collect and confine water in a reservoir or dam for irrigation, flood control, or hydroelectric power.
"The newly constructed dam will impound millions of gallons of water from the mountain river."
• noun
North American A fenced or secured lot where legally seized vehicles, goods, or stray animals are held by authorities until reclaimed.
"He had to pay a hefty fine to retrieve his car from the city impound."
• Rhymes for impound
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the mid-16th century from the prefix im- ('in, into') and pound ('an enclosure for stray livestock'), which comes from Old English pund ('enclosure').