impound
/ɪmˈpaʊnd/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪmˈpaʊnd/ (ame, ipa) · /im-ˈpau̇nd/ (ame, mw)
impound — verb
- impoundpresent simple I / you / we / they
- impoundshe / she / it
- impoundedpast simple
- impounding-ing form
1. When an official body such as the police or a government agency legally seizes a
When an official body such as the police or a government agency legally seizes and holds an item — often a vehicle, passport, documents, or illegal goods — because the owner has broken a law or failed to follow official rules.
The customs officer warned that they would impound any goods brought in without proper documents.
active: [authority] impound [item] for [reason]
Police impounded the driver's car after they found him driving without insurance.
active: police + impound + vehicle
Mei-Lin's passport was impounded by the immigration authorities while they investigated her application.
Counterfeit goods worth over two million dollars were impounded at the port last month.
- seize
broader term, can be physical grabbing or legal action; less formal than impound
- confiscate
stronger implication of permanent forfeiture, often as a punishment
- sequester
formal/legal; implies isolating for protection or investigation; used especially of documents or juries
文法句型
impound + noun phrase (vehicle, goods, documents)
be impounded by + authority
be impounded for + reason
用法筆記
Frequently used in passive constructions ('was impounded by...'). The object is typically a vehicle, an official document, or illegal merchandise. In legal contexts, impounding is often a temporary measure pending investigation, though the owner may not always get the item back in practice.
常見錯誤
2. To catch and contain stray or lost animals in a designated shelter or fenced are
To catch and contain stray or lost animals in a designated shelter or fenced area, where they are looked after until their rightful owner collects them or an adopter is found.
Animal control officers impounded three stray dogs that had been roaming the neighbourhood.
active: [authority] impounded [number] [animals]
The cat was impounded after it wandered into the school playground and could not find its owner.
passive: [animal] was impounded after [situation]
The local shelter impounds any pet found without a tag and tries to contact the owner.
The city council runs a facility where stray animals are impounded and cared for until adoption.
文法句型
impound + animal(s)
be impounded at/in + shelter / pound
用法筆記
Typically used of domestic pets — especially dogs and cats — found on public streets. The verb is more formal than everyday alternatives such as 'pick up' or 'take in'. Less commonly applied to wild animals or livestock.