impound

3 definitions • 4 examples

If the police impound something that belongs to you, they take it away because you have broken the law:

The police impounded cars and other personal property belonging to the drug dealers.

The vehicle was impounded by customs.

to take possession of something by legal right:

The police arrested the suspect and impounded his car.

to take something away from someone because you have the legal right to do so:

Companies in breach of the ruling may have certain assets impounded by the court.