toll

noun (1)

Save Word

\ ˈtōl

Definition of toll

(Entry 1 of 5)

1 : a tax or fee paid for some liberty or privilege (as of passing over a highway or bridge)

2 : compensation for services rendered: such as

a : a charge for transportation

b : a charge for a long-distance telephone call

3 : a grievous or ruinous price inflation has taken its toll especially : cost in life or health the death toll from the hurricane

toll

verb (1)

tolled; tolling; tolls

Definition of toll (Entry 2 of 5)

intransitive verb

: to take or levy toll

transitive verb

1a : to exact part of as a toll

b : to take as toll

2 : to exact a toll from (someone)

toll

verb (2)

tolled; tolling; tolls

Definition of toll (Entry 3 of 5)

intransitive verb

: to sound with slow measured strokes the bell tolls solemnly

transitive verb

1 : to sound (a bell) by pulling the rope

2a : to give signal or announcement of the clock tolled each hour

b : to announce by tolling church bells tolled the death of the bishop

c : to call to or from a place or occasion bells tolled the congregation to church

toll

noun (2)

Definition of toll (Entry 4 of 5)

: the sound of a tolling bell

toll

verb (3)

\ ˈtōl

variants: or tole

tolled or toled; tolling or toling

Definition of toll (Entry 5 of 5)

transitive verb

1 : allure, entice

2a : to entice (game) to approach

b : to attract (fish) with scattered bait

c : to lead or attract (domestic animals) to a desired point

First Known Use of toll

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Verb (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (3)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for toll

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English, from Vulgar Latin *tolonium, alteration of Late Latin telonium customhouse, from Greek tolōnion, from telōnēs collector of tolls, from telos tax, toll; perhaps akin to Greek tlēnai to bear

Verb (2)

Middle English, to pull, drag, toll (a bell), perhaps alteration of toilen to struggle — more at toil

Verb (3)

Middle English tollen, tolen; akin to Old English fortyllan to seduce

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about toll

Dictionary Entries near toll

to live up to someone's expectations

Statistics for toll

Cite this Entry

“Toll.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toll. Accessed 14 Apr. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for toll

toll

noun

\ ˈtōl

Kids Definition of toll

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : a tax paid for a privilege (as the use of a highway or bridge)

2 : a charge paid for a service

3 : the cost in life or health

toll

verb

tolled; tolling

Kids Definition of toll (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : to announce or call by the sounding of a bell The clock tolled midnight.

2 : to sound with slow strokes Bells tolled solemnly.

toll

noun

Kids Definition of toll (Entry 3 of 3)

: the sound of a bell ringing slowly

toll

noun

Legal Definition of toll

(Entry 1 of 3)

: a charge for the use of a transportation route or facility broadly : a charge for use a water toll

toll

verb

Legal Definition of toll (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to take away (as a right)

2a : to remove the effect of the court did not toll the statute of repose after the statutory period had expired

b : suspend sense 2a toll the running of the statute of limitations — compare run

intransitive verb

: to be suspended statute of limitations tolls for a period of seventy-five days following the notice — Parker v. Yen, 823 S.W.2d 359 (1991)

toll

noun

Legal Definition of toll (Entry 3 of 3)

: a suspension of effect the court extended the statute of limitations toll

History and Etymology for toll

Noun

Old English, tax or fee paid for a liberty or privilege, ultimately from Late Latin telonium custom house, from Greek tolōnion, from telōnēs collector of tolls, from telos tax, toll

Verb

Anglo-French tollir toller to take away, make null, bar, ultimately from Latin tollere to lift up, take away

Keep scrolling for more