excise

1 of 3

noun

ex·​cise ˈek-ˌsīz 

-ˌsīs

1

: an internal tax levied on the manufacture, sale, or consumption of a commodity

2

: any of various taxes on privileges often assessed in the form of a license or fee

excise

2 of 3

verb (1)

ex·​cise ˈek-ˌsīz 

-ˌsīs, 

ik-ˈsīz 

excised; excising

transitive verb

: to impose an excise on

excise

3 of 3

verb (2)

ex·​cise ik-ˈsīz 

excised; excising

transitive verb

: to remove by or as if by excision

excise a tumor

All the most scandalous parts had been excised from the diary.

Did you know?

Excise takes part of its meaning from the prefix ex-, "out". A writer may excise long passages of a novel to reduce it to a reasonable length, or a film director may excise a scene that might give offense. A surgeon may excise a large cancerous tumor, or make a tiny excision to examine an organ's tissue. Excise is also a noun, meaning a tax paid on something manufactured and sold in the U.S. Much of what consumers pay for tobacco or alcohol products go to cover the excise taxes that the state and federal government charge the manufacturers. But it's only accidental that this noun is spelled like the verb, since it comes from a completely different source.

Examples of excise in a Sentence

Noun

an excise imposed on a number of goods

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The funds lost in sales and excise taxes will impact state and local coffers. — Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026

Hoosiers pay a combination of state excise taxes, state sales taxes and federal gas taxes at the pump. — Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 6 May 2026

Verb

Woody, in particular, could be excised from the story without any loss — and why this franchise is as well. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 18 June 2026

As are chunks of the opening song; a line here, and a line there; an entirely new closing number has replaced the first stabs at a closing number; and every awkward silence is excised. — Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

obsolete Dutch excijs (now accijns), from Middle Dutch, probably modification of Old French assise session, assessment — more at assize

Verb (2)

Latin excisus, past participle of excidere, from ex- + caedere to cut

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1652, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1663, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing excise

• excise tax

Rhymes for excise

• advice
• allspice
• concise
• device
• entice
• fordyce
• precise
• suffice
• dice
• feis
• gneiss
• grice

Kids Definition

excise

1 of 2 noun

ex·​cise ˈek-ˌsīz 

-ˌsīs

: a tax on the manufacture, sale, or use of certain goods within a country

excise

2 of 2 verb

ex·​cise ek-ˈsīz 

excised; excising

: to remove by cutting out

excise a tumor

excision

-ˈsizh-ən

noun

Etymology

Noun

from obsolete Dutch excijs "tax," probably derived from early French assise "assessment"

Verb

from Latin excisus, past participle of excidere "to cut out," from ex- "out, out of" and caedere "to cut"

Medical Definition

excise

transitive verb

ex·​cise ik-ˈsīz 

excised; excising

: to remove by excision : resect

excise a tumor

Legal Definition

excise

noun

ex·​cise ˈek-ˌsīz, -ˌsīs 

1

: a tax levied on the manufacture, sale, or consumption of a commodity compare income tax, property tax

2

: any of various taxes on privileges often assessed in the form of a license or other fee compare direct tax

excise transitive verb