levy

noun

Save Word

\ ˈle-vē

plural levies

Definition of levy

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : the imposition or collection of an assessment The government imposed a levy on gasoline.

b : an amount levied

2a : the enlistment or conscription of men for military service

b : troops raised by levy turned green levies into fighting soldiers

levy

verb

levied; levying

Definition of levy (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : 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

Other Words from levy Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about levy

Keep scrolling for more

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 real threat is that property tax levies aren’t allowed to rise with inflation. — Evan Casey, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wauwatosa mayoral candidates discuss how they would improve traffic safety and address new developments," 18 Mar. 2020 Voters were set to decide a 5.45-mill, continuing property-tax levy replacement, to generate about $5.3 million yearly for operations. — Alissa Widman Neese, Cincinnati.com, "Delayed primary election another coronavirus roadblock for Ohio schools," 17 Mar. 2020 School officials told of skyrocketing voucher costs destroying budgets and making them break tax levy promises. — cleveland, "Voucher hearings paint “flawed” report cards as villain of parents, school districts," 22 Feb. 2020 The tax levy will rise 5.85 percent next year to reach $166 million. — Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, "Seven things to know about the 2020 St. Paul city budget," 15 Dec. 2019 The new proposal also would follow voters’ approval of a Portland Public Schools property tax levy renewal that is supposed to generate about $100 million for construction on schools. — oregonlive, "2020 ballot could include another high-dollar measure -- this one to fund homeless services," 9 Dec. 2019 Backed by a property tax levy, the city then provides funds to candidates who participate in the program and qualify by demonstrating thresholds of support, but the candidates must agree to stick to spending limits. — Mike Baker, New York Times, "Amazon Tests ‘Soul of Seattle’ With Deluge of Election Cash," 30 Oct. 2019 Councilman Jim Carbone said the tax levy was first passed in 1976. — Bob Sandrick, cleveland.com, "In Strongsville, Issue 67 would renew hospital tax; Issue 68 would grant liquor permit," 9 Sep. 2019 The council also approved raising the property tax levy and various fees and fines. — Emily K. Coleman, Lake County News-Sun, "Zion City Council picks deputy to replace retiring police chief," 6 June 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb If the renewal passes in Macomb, but fails in one of the other counties, Macomb County could decide whether — or not — to levy the millage, David Flynn, the DIA's senior vice president of public and community affairs, said in November. — Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, "Small millage, but big vote for Detroit Institute of Arts tax renewal," 25 Feb. 2020 Despite the truce in the trade war, the United States continues to levy tariffs on more than $350 billion worth of Chinese imports. — CBS News, "Stocks up as U.S. manufacturing expands for first time since July," 3 Feb. 2020 Another tariff threatens to levy a 100% tariff on most European wines, as well as Scotch and Irish whiskies, European cheeses, olive oils and other food products. — Arnessa Garrett, Dallas News, "Abbott honors hero of church shooting, Bloomberg campaigns in Dallas, craft brewers hail tax break," 14 Jan. 2020 Mountain Home:The city will continue to levy 2.0 mills on real estate and personal property, the City Council decided Monday night. — USA TODAY, "Pooch hit by car goes for ride, manatee rescued, unusual toilet paper roller: News from around our 50 states," 1 Nov. 2019 If anyone is caught outside without the form, police have been authorized to levy fines. — Fox News, "France may extend 14-day coronavirus lockdown, claims 'idiots' breaking rules," 20 Mar. 2020 If persons are caught outside without the form, police throughout the country have been authorized to levy fines as punishment. — Spencer Neale, Washington Examiner, "'We are at war' with coronavirus: France requires documentation to leave house," 17 Mar. 2020 Allow municipalities to levy $50 a day fines for each day the occupancy or use of a rental violates the law. — Ryan Randazzo, azcentral, "Vacation-rental rules bill killed by Arizona lawmakers," 5 Mar. 2020 At a court hearing, a lawyer representing the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation agreed not to levy any fines related to the ban, according to a court order. — Jimmy Vielkind, WSJ, "New York State Delays Enforcement of Plastic-Bag Ban After Lawsuit Is Filed," 28 Feb. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'levy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about levy

Dictionary Entries near levy

Statistics for levy

Last Updated

5 Apr 2020

Cite this Entry

“Levy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/levy. Accessed 7 Apr. 2020.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for levy

levy

noun

Financial Definition of levy

What It Is

A levy is the seizure of property in order to repay debt. In the U.S., the IRS has the authority to levy. (For everybody else, this is called foreclosure or repossession.)

How It Works

Let’s assume John Doe owns a house in the country and hasn't filed a tax return for five years. The IRS catches up to him and sends him a $45,000 tax bill. John has fallen on hard times lately, and is unable to pay the taxes. Accordingly, the IRS levies the house.

Levies can be on property, wages, bank accounts or anything else of value. A levy is not the same as a lien. A levy actually takes the property; a lien just places a restriction on the sale or transfer of the property.

Why It Matters

Taxing authorities are always anxious to get their money, but they must give written notice to a taxpayer before levying a taxpayer's assets. States also have the authority to impose levies for the lack of payment of state income taxes.

Source: Investing Answers

levy

noun

English Language Learners Definition of levy

(Entry 1 of 2)

: an amount of money that must be paid and that is collected by a government or other authority

levy

verb

English Language Learners Definition of levy (Entry 2 of 2)

: to use legal authority to demand and collect (a fine, a tax, etc.)

See the full definition for levy in the English Language Learners Dictionary

levy

noun

\ ˈle-vē

plural levies

Kids Definition of levy

(Entry 1 of 2)

: something (as taxes) collected by authority of the law

levy

verb

levied; levying

Kids Definition of levy (Entry 2 of 2)

: to collect legally levy taxes

Keep scrolling for more

levy

noun

\ ˈle-vē

plural levies

Legal Definition of levy

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

verb

levied; levying

Legal Definition of levy (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Keep scrolling for more