levy

1 of 2

noun

ˈle-vē 

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

Synonyms

Noun

• tax

Verb

• draft
• recruit

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

Noun

Provincial Councilor Luis Walcher, who introduced the measure, said that those who have already complied with the DNA registry will be exempt from the new levy for two years. —Barbie Nadeau, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson proposed a $2 billion budget for 2026, which includes increases to city fees and the tax levy, as well as deeper departmental cuts and minimal library cuts, in an effort to ensure a smooth fiscal budget year ahead. —Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 23 Sep. 2025

Verb

The attorney general can levy civil penalties of up to $1 million per violation for noncompliance with these reporting requirements. —ArsTechnica, 30 Sep. 2025

Federal prosecutors levied smuggling charges against 431 people over the past six months in Arizona alone, Department of Justice data shows. —Avery Schmitz, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025

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

Rhymes for levy

• bevy
• chevy
• heavy
• levee
• replevy

Kids Definition

levy

1 of 2 noun

ˈlev-ē 

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

ˈle-vē 

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 $10,000

—D. 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 violations

—National 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