Impound (Verb)
Meaning 1
Place or shut up in a pound; "pound the cows so they don't stray".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- The local authorities will impound any stray dogs found roaming the streets.
- Ranchers might impound stray cattle that wander onto their property.
- Unruly horses are sometimes impound so that they don't injure anyone.
- The farmer was forced to impound all the escaped chickens before nightfall.
- Wandering livestock can be impounded until the owner comes forward to claim them.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 2
Take temporary possession of as a security, by legal authority; "The FBI seized the drugs"; "The customs agents impounded the illegal shipment"; "The police confiscated the stolen artwork".
Classification
Verbs of buying, selling, owning.
Examples
- The customs agents impounded the vehicle for attempting to smuggle contraband into the country.
- The local authorities impounded the building due to numerous fire safety code violations.
- The parking enforcement officer impounded the vehicle after it accumulated multiple unpaid parking tickets.
- Environmental inspectors impounded the ship for violating strict pollution control regulations.
- The tax authorities impounded the assets of the company to settle its outstanding tax debt.