Impound: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when something is taken and kept by an authority, often related to vehicles or animals.

• The police decided to impound the car after the arrest.
• The stray dog was impounded by animal control.

Implies taking away something, usually as a form of punishment or enforcement of rules, often by an authority figure. It can have a negative connotation.

• The teacher had to confiscate the student's phone during the test.
• Customs officers confiscated the illegal goods.

Used when taking possession of something suddenly or by force. Can be related to both legal contexts and unexpected opportunities.

• The authorities plan to seize the assets of the corrupt official.
• She seized the chance to travel the world.

Refers to restricting someone or something within certain limits or a certain space. Often used for people or animals.

• Doctors decided to confine the patient to bed rest.
• Prisoners are confined to their cells for most of the day.

Used typically in a legal or official setting when animals are taken and kept in custody by authorities due to various reasons such as neglect or abandonment.

• The dog was impounded after it was found wandering the streets without a collar.
• Authorities impounded several stray cats from the neighborhood.

Commonly used in both formal and informal settings to describe a place where homeless, lost, or abandoned animals are taken care of and are available for adoption.

• She volunteers at the animal shelter every weekend.
• They decided to adopt a puppy from the animal shelter.

An informal term for an animal shelter or control facility, often with a slightly negative connotation implying a place where animals are kept in less ideal conditions.

• The puppy was taken to the pound after it was found on the highway.
• He decided to check the pound to see if his lost cat had been found.

Used in a formal context to describe a place managed by governmental or municipal entities where animals, usually strays or dangerously aggressive ones, are kept or controlled.

• The local animal control facility handles all reports of stray dogs.
• After being captured, the stray cat was taken to the animal control facility.