tithe

1 of 2

noun

ˈtīt͟h 

1

: a tenth part of something paid as a voluntary contribution or as a tax especially for the support of a religious establishment

2

: the obligation represented by individual tithes

3

: tenth

broadly : a small part

4

: a small tax or levy

tithe

2 of 2

verb

tithed; tithing

transitive verb

1

: to pay or give a tenth part of especially for the support of a religious establishment or organization

2

: to levy a tithe on

intransitive verb

: to give a tenth of one's income as a tithe

Examples of tithe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Congregants say they were required to pay a minimum of 10 percent of their income in tithes. —Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2025

An additional 10 percent was designated for charitable giving or a tithe. —Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025

Verb

Bezos’ Amazon and Zuckerberg’s Meta were among the tech firms that tithed $1 million each to help pay for Trump’s inauguration. —Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2025

Photo: Etienne Frossard/Monacelli The fiercest battles were waged around the decision to tithe a portion of the territory to private developers. —Justin Davidson, Curbed, 3 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English teogotha tenth; akin to Middle Low German tegede tenth, Old English tīen ten — more at ten

Verb

Middle English, from Old English teogothian, from teogotha tenth

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for tithe

• blithe
• lithe
• scythe
• writhe
• wythe

Kids Definition

tithe

1 of 2 verb

ˈtit͟h 

tithed; tithing

: to pay or give a tithe

tither noun

tithe

2 of 2 noun

: a tenth part (as of one's income) given especially as a contribution to a church

Etymology

Verb

Old English teogothian "to give a tenth part," from teogotha "tenth"