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

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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

Steves recommends bringing a small day pack with you to tote around daily essentials. — Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 13 Sep. 2026

Sutherland stars as the titular gun-toting priest, who seems like a mash-up of two action heroes (John Wick and Constantine) previously played by Keanu Reeves. — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026

Noun

The company says it is set to have its Halloween totes in stores later this month. — Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2026

This Rejuvenation coat rack has enough room to house a whole family of coats, umbrellas, and stray grocery totes. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 11 Sep. 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