impoundare

Impoundare is an Italian verb meaning to impound, to seize and detain something by lawful authority, usually temporarily and pending disposition or release. It is used in legal, administrative, and logistical contexts to indicate that possession of an item has been taken into custody by authorities such as the police, customs, or court officials.

Etymology and usage notes

The term is borrowed from the English word impound and was adapted into Italian with the standard -are verb formation. It belongs to the first conjugation of Italian verbs and appears in formal and semi-formal contexts. In everyday speech, speakers may favor synonyms such as sequestrare (to seize and hold as a precautionary measure) or confiscare (to confiscate), while impoundare emphasizes temporary custody and procedural control.

Contexts and examples

Impoundare is commonly used for vehicles, ships, cargo, and other property held by authorities. For example: La polizia ha impoundato l’auto per violazioni del codice della strada. The verb can appear in various legal instruments and reports to describe the act of placing under detention by an official order or seizure.

Conjugation and related forms

As a regular -are verb, impoundare follows standard endings: present indicative io impoundo, tu impoundi, lui/lei impounda, noi impoundiamo, voi impoundate, loro impoundano. The past participle is impoundato, used with avere (ho impoundato). Related terms include sequestrare (to seize and hold), confiscare (to confiscate), and mettere sotto sequestro (to put under seizure).

See also

Sequestro, Sequestro giudiziario, Confisca.