tote

1 of 4

verb (1)

ˈtōt 

toted; toting

transitive verb

1

: to carry by hand : bear on the person : lug, pack

2

: haul, convey

toter

ˈtō-tər 

noun

tote

2 of 4

noun (1)

1

: tote bag

2

: burden, load

tote

3 of 4

verb (2)

toted; toting

transitive verb

: add, total

—usually used with up

toted up his accomplishments

—G. P. Morrill

tote

4 of 4

noun (2)

: pari-mutuel sense 2

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• carry
• haul
• transport
• ferry

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

Verb

Pack it full of travel must-haves ahead of your next trip, or use it to tote around daily essentials while running errands. —Averi Baudler, People.com, 24 May 2025

Backgrid Photo: Backgrid The actor arrived at the Hôtel Martinez in cool, movie star style, dressed in a Shushu/tong trench coat, gray-brown trousers, Cartier sunglasses, and toting a black Hermès Box Kelly. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 21 May 2025

Noun

Get one year of unlimited access for $3.33 $1.50 per month + a tote. —Alessandra Pellegrino, Architectural Digest, 21 June 2025

Ballet flats and a straw tote add a prim touch for a balanced finish. —Christina Holevas, Vogue, 20 June 2025

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

Noun (2)

short for totalizator

First Known Use

Verb (1)

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

circa 1772, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb (2)

1888, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1891, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tote

• tote bag
• tote board

Rhymes for tote

• bloat
• boat
• choate
• coat
• cote
• dote
• float
• gloat
• goat
• groat
• haute
• moat

Kids Definition

tote

verb

ˈtōt

toted; toting

: to carry by hand

toter noun