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
When investing abroad, key costs usually depend on the host country’s tax regulations, transaction levies and property maintenance fees. Maxim Lukyanov, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025 The White House, for example, has held off on implementing additional higher levies of up to 50% on the European Union until July 9. Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 25 June 2025
Verb
Residents of a large Park Forest apartment complex that has been without air conditioning for several days complained yesterday the problem hasn’t been fixed, while the village promised to levy fines against the property owner. Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025 Illinois already levies the second highest gas tax in the nation, behind only California, according to tax rates from each state’s department of revenue. Andrew Leahey, Forbes.com, 22 June 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Levy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/levy. Accessed 30 Jun. 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
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