tote

1 of 5

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 5

noun (1)

1

: tote bag

2

: burden, load

tote

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verb (2)

toted; toting

transitive verb

: add, total

—usually used with up

… toted up his accomplishments …

—G. P. Morrill

tote

4 of 5

noun (2)

: pari-mutuel sense 2

toter

5 of 5

noun (3)

tot·​er ˈtōtə(r) 

plural -s

: one that totes

Synonyms of tote

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

But aside from dispatching shotgun-toting police agents to keep an eye on them, Venezuelan authorities mostly ignored the protesters. — John Otis, NPR, 16 July 2026

Ashley Graham totes signs and stylish looks at a photo shoot in New York City on July 8. — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026

Noun

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale features plenty of worthy discounts on crossbody bags, totes, and fanny packs to keep your belongings close by on the go. — Kayla Becker, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 July 2026

Tory Burch tote in an eye-catching green shade and a Madewell crossbody that will match literally everything in your closet. — Jordan Julian, InStyle, 17 July 2026

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)

1830, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1890, 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