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

3 of 5

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

Johnson toted a green glass water bottle and her phone as the pair made their way through a parking lot, with Kelly carrying a brown paper bag. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2026

Silver Star does not ask Defendants to change their setlist, narrative, politics, choreography, or even their decision to put gun-toting performers on stage. — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2026

Noun

Likewise, bags are about the practical needs of a customer who might carry a tote for a computer during the day and keep a clutch inside for evening. — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026

Lié Studio The Eva Weekend tote $870 This sleek bag is the leather tote at its most elegant—roomy enough to hold travel essentials and crafted in luxurious Portuguese leather. — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 28 Oct. 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