levy

1 of 2

noun

ˈle-vē 

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 people 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

Synonyms of levy

Noun

• tax

Verb

• draft
• recruit

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

Where the old course sat below the river, protected by a levy and dense forest, Curley raised the land roughly 10 feet and cleared the banks. —Mark Dee march 14, Idaho Statesman, 14 Mar. 2026

Consumers’ fight for tariff refunds In May 2025, Costco CFO Gary Millerchip told investors the retailer raised prices on some discretionary products like flowers as a result of the levies, but held prices steady on some tariffed produce items like bananas that were staples for shoppers. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026

Verb

The press release went on to levy criticisms against Mamdani and Hochul for their support of sanctuary policies that prohibit local authorities from aiding ICE in some circumstances. —Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 12 Mar. 2026

Its version of day-and-date during the pandemic was levying a surcharge to Disney+ subscribers for movies such as Mulan, Jungle Cruise, Cruella and Black Widow to name a few. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 12 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

Verb

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

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

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