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Impound Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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impound

[ษชmหˆpaสŠnd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

law

Officially seize or confiscate.

Synonyms

confine, confiscate, seize.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
impound

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.
confiscate

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.
seize

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.
confine

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.

Examples of usage

  • The car was impounded by the police.
  • The authorities impounded the illegal goods.
  • The court ordered to impound the documents as evidence.
Context #2 | Noun

animal shelter

A place where stray animals are taken and kept until claimed by their owners or placed in new homes.

Synonyms

animal control facility, animal shelter, pound.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
impound

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.
animal shelter

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.
pound

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.
animal control facility

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.

Examples of usage

  • The impound is overflowing with lost dogs and cats.
  • She volunteered at the animal impound to help care for the abandoned pets.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'impound'

The word 'impound' originates from the Old French word 'empounder', meaning 'to shut in, place in a pound'. It first appeared in the English language in the 16th century. The term has been primarily used in legal contexts to refer to the action of seizing or confiscating items. Over time, 'impound' has also been associated with animal shelters where stray animals are kept. The dual usage of the word reflects its evolution in different fields.

See also: pound, pounding.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,654, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.