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

• assessment
• duty
• imposition
• impost
• tax

Verb

• conscribe
• conscript
• draft

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

The package would also expedite the elimination of the state’s food sales tax by six months – ending the taxation by July 1 – eliminate income taxation on Social Security benefits and lower the mill levy for schools from 20 to 19.5 mills. —Jenna Barackman, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2024

Tesla has been lobbying New Delhi to lower import taxes on EVs for years, and finally got some leeway last month when the government reduced import levies on select EVs made by automakers under certain conditions. —Morgan Haefner, Quartz, 12 Apr. 2024

California topped the list with the highest per-capita tax collections, according to the study, which tracked around 40 types of local and state tax collections and levies. —The Arizona Republic, 6 Apr. 2024

But Hawkins told The Enquirer the district doesn't plan to ask for a levy soon. —The Enquirer, 5 Apr. 2024

This referendum will increase the property tax levy by nearly 9% to fund additional firefighters, paramedics and police officers. —Cathy Kozlowicz, Journal Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2024

That can include liens and levies (seizures of your property, including bank accounts). —Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024

This year, in a nod to the struggles of school districts, lawmakers passed a property tax bill that allocated funds for districts to pay off bonds and levies. —Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 27 Mar. 2024

The measure also eliminates taxes on Social Security income, lowers the statewide mill levy for schools from 20 mills to 19.5 mils and accelerates the elimination of the state sales tax on food to July 1, six months ahead of current law. —Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2024

Verb

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. and EU have levied sanctions on Russia’s biggest banks and its elite, frozen the assets of the country’s Central Bank located outside the country and excluded its financial institutions from the SWIFT bank messaging system. —Fatima Hussein, Quartz, 12 Apr. 2024

Called a theme park district, the area would be overseen by a board that can issue bonds to pay for construction and levy a tax on transactions to repay the bonds. —Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 6 Apr. 2024

And if a golfer fails to show up for their reservation, an additional $10 no-show penalty will be levied. —Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024

For most of its history, ancient Egypt levied taxes on goods, with officials collecting dues in the form of grain, textiles, labor, cattle and other commodities. —Kate McMahon, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

Beyond Banks’ customary outspokenness, a notable group of Beyoncé fans levied similar critiques. —Aj Willingham, CNN, 28 Mar. 2024

The Associated Press Amazon pauses its fees Amazon is pausing the rollout of controversial new fees levied on its third-party sellers for a month to help sellers understand how the charges affect their business. —Alan Murray, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2024

Opponents fear stiffer penalties would be levied disproportionately on patients of color or those with developmental disabilities. —Sejal Parekh, Sacramento Bee, 1 Apr. 2024

Larson’s proposal would extend the standard 12.4% payroll tax, which is levied this year on all wage income up to $168,600, to income over $400,000, leaving an income gap that would be narrowed over time. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024

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

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