levy

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 of levy

• draft
• recruit

Examples of levy in a Sentence

They levied a tax on imports.

The government will levy a fine on the company.

Recent Examples on the Web

When Social Security benefits are electronically deposited into a bank account, federal banking rules require banks and other financial institutions to protect a certain amount of those benefits if a creditor obtains a court order to levy the account. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 3 June 2026

In tax-weary Santa Clara County, San Jose leaders pushed for the ballot measure to shift the financial burden to visitors by increasing the city’s transient occupancy tax, levied on hotel and short-term rental guests, from 10% to 12%. —Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 3 June 2026

With regard to the current Section 301 probe and the potential of levying stickier double-digit duties than those invalidated by the Supreme Court earlier this year, the USTR is due to make a decision by mid-July’s deadline. —Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 2 June 2026

Ever since the Strip came to dominate Las Vegas, hotels there have levied a one-two-three punch of booze, gaming and logistics to keep their guests in one place. —Winston Ross, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English levien, leveen, derivative of leve, levy levy entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for levy

• bevy
• chevy
• heavy
• levee
• replevy

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