levy

1 of 2

noun

plural levies
1
a
: the imposition or collection of an assessment
The government imposed a levy on gasoline.
b
: an amount levied
2
a
: the enlistment or conscription of men for military service
b
: troops raised by levy
turned green levies into fighting soldiers

levy

2 of 2

verb

levied; levying

transitive verb

1
a
: to impose or collect by legal authority
levy a tax
b
: to require by authority
2
: to enlist or conscript for military service
3
: to carry on (war) : wage

intransitive verb

: to seize property
levier noun

Examples of levy in a Sentence

Noun the legislators approved a new levy on imported cattle to help protect American ranchers Verb They levied a tax on imports. The government will levy a fine on the company.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The rules threaten levies of as much as 1% of average daily worldwide revenue for up to six months. Ryan Browne, CNBC, 17 Jan. 2025 In 2023, Bhutan’s government halved its daily tourist levy to just $100 to boost flagging arrivals. By Charlie Campbell/gelephu, Bhutan, TIME, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
Without increasing domestic steel production, levying 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada, as well as 10% to 20% unilateral tariffs on all other countries, any business that depends on steel inputs in the U.S. will be handicapped. Vincent Trometter, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025 President Trump said in an Oval Office signing ceremony Monday that his administration would levy a 25% tariff on Mexico and Canada starting February 1. John Towfighi, CNN, 21 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for levy 

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French levé, literally, raising, from lever to raise — more at lever

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of levy was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near levy

Cite this Entry

“Levy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/levy. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

levy

1 of 2 noun
plural levies
1
a
: the laying or collection especially of a tax
b
: an amount levied
2
: the calling of troops into service

levy

2 of 2 verb
levied; levying
1
: to establish or collect by legal authority
levy a tax
levy a fine
2
: to raise or collect troops for military service

Legal Definition

levy

1 of 2 noun
plural levies
1
: an act of levying: as
a
: the imposition or collection of a tax
b
: the seizure according to a writ of execution of real or personal property in a judgment debtor's possession to satisfy a judgment debt
2
: an amount levied : tax
providing for a levy of 3% on income up to $10,000D. Q. Posin

levy

2 of 2 verb
levied; levying

transitive verb

1
: to impose or collect (as a tax or fine) with authority
allow it to levy stiffer penalties for some safety violationsNational Law Journal
2
: to enforce or carry into effect (a writ of execution) compare attach, garnish

intransitive verb

: to enforce a writ of execution or attachment
specifically : to make a seizure of real or personal property in a judgment debtor's possession
they might as a last resort levy on his merchandise J. J. White and R. S. Summers

More from Merriam-Webster on levy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!