levy

noun \ ˈle-vē \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

Definition of levy

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

See levy defined for English-language learners

See levy defined for kids

Examples of levy in a Sentence

the legislators approved a new levy on imported cattle to help protect American ranchers

Recent Examples of levy from the Web

The mayor has proposed to pay for it partly by increases in the sales tax, commercial property levy and the tax on ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft.

— robert mccartney, Washington Post, "Virginia governor asks legislature to restore two tax increases to fund Metro," 9 Apr. 2018
Read more: The move comes two years after voters in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties renewed a 0.1-mill tax levy to fund zoo operations.

— omar abdel-baqui, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Zoo raises membership, admission prices, changes ticket system," 7 Apr. 2018
The 25% tariffs come on top of any existing levies.

— Fortune, "In Brewing Trade War With U.S., China Hits Back Where It Hurts: Soybeans and Airplanes," 4 Apr. 2018
Under the charter currently, a referendum requires about 75,000 signatures be collected in 40 days and includes prohibitions on challenging council appropriations, tax levies and utility rates, among other things.

— josh baugh, San Antonio Express-News, "Nirenberg re-formats Charter Review Commission, gives group marching orders," 28 Mar. 2018
Beijing immediately retaliated by unveiling $3 billion in levies against American products, as the rising risk of trade wars between the world’s two biggest economies roiled markets.

— emre peker, WSJ, "American Allies Urge Trade Peace as China and the U.S. Bump Heads," 23 Mar. 2018
But because trustees approved holding East Dundee's property tax levy flat for several years, the revenues no longer were sufficient to cover both police pension obligations and refuse collection costs, officials said.

— erin sauder, Elgin Courier-News, "East Dundee voters overwhelmingly choose to retain home rule," 22 Mar. 2018
In the meantime, the Board of Trustees has tried to divide the burden through the tuition increase, a higher property tax levy and around $1 million in budget cuts, Haney said.

— emily k. coleman, Lake County News-Sun, "College of Lake County approves fall 2018 tuition increase," 1 Mar. 2018
The city dropped a drought levy and an initial plan to shame flagrant water guzzlers by publishing an internet map of every household with red dots identifying the worst abusers.

— robyn dixon, latimes.com, "In Cape Town, 'Day Zero' is coming very soon — the day the water runs out," 20 Jan. 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of levy

Middle English, from Anglo-French levé, literally, raising, from lever to raise — more at lever

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

levy Synonyms

Synonyms

assessment, duty, imposition, impost, tax;

Related Words

direct tax, personal tax;

capitation, custom(s), excise, hidden tax, income tax, poll tax, property tax, sales tax, single tax, sin tax, tariff, toll, tribute, value-added tax, withholding tax;

supertax, surcharge, surtax;

Other Economics Terms

actuary, compound interest, globalization, indemnity, portfolio, rentier, stagflation, usurer

levy

verb

Definition of levy

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

See levy defined for English-language learners

Examples of levy in a Sentence

They levied a tax on imports.
The government will levy a fine on the company.

Recent Examples of levy from the Web

Tinley Park doesn’t directly levy that tax but receives a share of what is collected by the state.

— mike nolan, Daily Southtown, "New Tinley Park budget has more money for cops," 18 Apr. 2018
The first eight- or nine-figure fine levied against a multinational company will send shockwaves through boardrooms around the world.

— mike chapple, Fortune, "Commentary: How to Really Protect Your Digital Privacy: Move to Europe," 17 Apr. 2018
The unit has levied hundreds of millions of dollars in fines.

— julia angwin, The Atlantic, "How the Government Could Fix Facebook," 5 Apr. 2018
Last week, the White House announced plans to levy tariffs on up to $60 billion of Chinese imports.

— zachary karabell, WIRED, "Why Trump's Misguided China Tariffs Won't Help the US," 31 Mar. 2018
On the new round of tariffs, the U.S. will first take comment from industry for 30 days and then have 180 days to decide whether to actually levy tariffs.

— jesse newman, WSJ, "U.S. Pork Producers, Fruit Growers Brace for China Tariffs," 2 Apr. 2018
Steel and aluminium tariffs were quickly followed by a proposal to levy tariffs on $60bn-worth of Chinese goods.

— The Economist, "Personnel changes leave fewer checks on Donald Trump’s impulses," 28 Mar. 2018
Schlitterbahn pushed back against the charges levied against Henry, Schooley and the construction company Tuesday.

— joshua fechter, San Antonio Express-News, "Schlitterbahn co-owner, slide designer charged with second-degree murder in decapitation death of boy at Kansas park," 27 Mar. 2018
The president instructed Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to levy tariffs on at least $60 billion in Chinese imports.

— BostonGlobe.com, "Trump’s China tariffs fuel trade war fears, driving down stocks," 23 Mar. 2018

Origin and Etymology of levy

see ¹levy

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

levy Synonyms

Financial Definition of LEVY

levy

noun

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 Defined for English Language Learners

levy

noun

Definition of levy for English Language Learners

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

levy

verb

Definition of levy for English Language Learners

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

LEVY Defined for Kids

levy

noun \ ˈle-vē \

Definition of levy for Students

plural levies

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

levy

verb

Definition of levy for Students

levied; levying

: to collect legally

levy taxes

Law Dictionary

levy

noun \ ˈle-vē \

legal Definition of levy

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

verb

legal Definition of levy

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

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levy

Definition of levy

levier

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Recent Examples of levy from the Web

Origin and Etymology of levy

levy Synonyms

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Financial Definition of LEVY

What It Is

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LEVY Defined for English Language Learners

levy

Definition of levy for English Language Learners

levy

Definition of levy for English Language Learners

LEVY Defined for Kids

levy

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levy

Definition of levy for Students

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legal Definition of levy

levy

legal Definition of levy

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