tote

1 of 2

verb (1)

toted; toting
Synonyms of totenext

transitive verb

1
: to carry by hand : bear on the person : lug, pack
2
toter noun

tote

2 of 2

verb (2)

toted; toting

transitive verb

: add, total
usually used with up
toted up his accomplishments …G. P. Morrill

Examples of tote in a Sentence

Verb (1) toted his dog from the muddy backyard to the bathtub for a thorough washing
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Having no driver’s license, Müller became a Polaroid-toting expeditionist, returning repeatedly to his beloved Kensington Motel in Santa Monica and its environs. James Quandt, Artforum, 2 June 2026 Armed guards patrolled federal buildings; machine-gun-toting snipers perched on rooftops. Sarita Gupta, Time, 2 June 2026 My Hommtina Straw Beach Bag ended up becoming my go-to tote, particularly due to the size. Cassie Gill, Travel + Leisure, 1 June 2026 But barely four weeks in, Jenkins and other prosecutors say many of those being released without bail are repeat offenders with long rap sheets for boosting cars, toting guns and selling fentanyl. Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for tote

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

probably from an English-based creole; akin to Gullah & Krio tot to carry, of Bantu origin; akin to Kikongo -tota to pick up, Kimbundu -tuta to carry

Verb (2)

English dialect tote, noun, total

First Known Use

Verb (1)

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1830, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tote was in 1677

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tote. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

tote

verb
ˈtōt
toted; toting
: to carry by hand
toter noun

More from Merriam-Webster on tote

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster