tote

1 of 4

verb (1)

toted; toting

transitive verb

1
: to carry by hand : bear on the person : lug, pack
2
toter noun

tote

2 of 4

noun (1)

1
2

tote

3 of 4

verb (2)

toted; toting

transitive verb

: add, total
usually used with up
toted up his accomplishmentsG. P. Morrill

tote

4 of 4

noun (2)

Examples of tote in a Sentence

Verb (1) toted his dog from the muddy backyard to the bathtub for a thorough washing
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
There is also considerable risk connected to young people toting toys that can closely resemble actual guns, especially those with modifications. Jazmin Towe, Parents, 10 June 2024 The show has long featured immunity idols — tokens that, if a player chooses to deploy them, provide protection against being voted out for one ballot cycle — but there are now so many per season that a contestant can turn up at tribal council toting two or even three. Mark Harris, Vulture, 4 June 2024
Noun
Go with a slouchy leather bag or a structured tote. Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 29 May 2024 The robbers cut plastic wrapping off a pallet and passed several tote boxes full of cigarettes to a third man, who remained outside the truck, police said. Jason Green, The Mercury News, 25 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for tote 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tote.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

probably from an English-based creole; akin to Gullah & Krio tot to carry, of Bantu origin; akin to Kikongo -tota to pick up, Kimbundu -tuta to carry

Verb (2)

English dialect tote, noun, total

Noun (2)

short for totalizator

First Known Use

Verb (1)

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

circa 1772, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb (2)

1888, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1891, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tote was in 1677

Dictionary Entries Near tote

Cite this Entry

“Tote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tote. Accessed 16 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

tote

verb
ˈtōt
toted; toting
: to carry by hand
toter noun

More from Merriam-Webster on tote

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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