excise

noun

ex·cise | \ ˈek-ˌsīz ,

-ˌsīs \

Definition of excise

(Entry 1 of 3)

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

verb (1)

ex·cise | \ ˈek-ˌsīz ,

-ˌsīs , ik-ˈsīz \

excised; excising

Definition of excise (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

: to impose an excise on

excise

verb (2)

ex·cise | \ ik-ˈsīz

\

excised; excising

Definition of excise (Entry 3 of 3)

transitive verb

: to remove by or as if by excision

Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about excise

Keep scrolling for more

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

History and Etymology for excise

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about excise

Dictionary Entries near excise

Phrases Related to excise

Statistics for excise

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for excise

The first known use of excise was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for excise

excise

noun

English Language Learners Definition of excise

: a tax on certain things that are made, sold, or used within a country

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

excise

transitive verb

ex·cise | \ ik-ˈsīz

\

excised; excising

Medical Definition of excise

: to remove by excision : resect excise a tumor

excise

noun

ex·cise | \ ˈek-ˌsīz, -ˌsīs

\

Legal Definition of excise

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

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

viva voce

by word of mouth

Test Your Vocabulary

Name that Food Quiz

Name these cookies!

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ

SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games