ClimateAugust 15, 2026

impound

im-POUND

Definition

To collect, store, or confine a substance, typically water, in a reservoir or similar container.

Etymology

Derived from the Middle English 'impounden,' which combined 'in-' with 'pound,' referring to an enclosure for stray animals. The word evolved from the act of enclosing livestock to the general sense of confining or storing property or resources.

In the news

In this article, the word is used to describe the function of the Gross Reservoir, which is designed to collect and hold water diverted from the Colorado River.

Can a Dam Expansion Hold Back Climate Considerations on the Colorado River?

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Inside Climate News

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