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• levy
  levy

  noun

  an imposing or collecting, as of a tax, by authority or force.
• Levy
  Levy

  noun

  Uriah Phillips, 1792–1862, U.S. naval commander.

levy

¹ American  

[lev-ee] / ˈlɛv i /

noun

plural

levies

1. an imposing or collecting, as of a tax, by authority or force.

2. the amount owed or collected.

3. the conscription of troops.

4. the troops conscripted.

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verb (used with object)

levied, levying

1. to impose (a tax).

   to levy a duty on imports.

2. to conscript (troops).

   Synonyms:

   enlist, draft

3. to start or wage (war).

verb (used without object)

levied, levying

1. to seize or attach property by judicial order.

Levy ² American  

[lee-vee, lev-ee, lee-vee, -vahy] / ˈli vi, ˈlɛv i, ˈli vi, -vaɪ /

noun

1. Uriah Phillips, 1792–1862, U.S. naval commander.

2. a male given name.

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levy British  

/ ˈlɛvɪ /

verb

1. to impose and collect (a tax, tariff, fine, etc)

2. to conscript troops for service

3. to seize or attach (property) in accordance with the judgment of a court

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noun

1. 1. the act of imposing and collecting a tax, tariff, etc

   2. the money so raised

2. 1. the conscription of troops for service

   2. a person conscripted in this way

Other Word Forms

• levier
  noun
• relevy
  verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of levy

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English leve(e), from Middle French, noun use of feminine past participle of lever “to raise,” from Latin levāre, akin to levis “light”; cf. levee ²

Explanation

Use the word levy as you would use the word tax: “When the state government imposed a levy on soft drinks, thousands of citizens took to the streets in protest.” The word levy can act as either a verb or a noun in a sentence. The noun levy refers to a charge, such as a tax, fine, or other fee, that is imposed on something. The verb levy is used to describe the act of imposing or collecting the charge. If you need to raise money, for example, you may decide to levy a fine on your family every time you have to make the coffee in the morning. (Be careful though: your family may also take to the streets in protest.)

Example Sentences

When butcher Asser Levy died in Colonial New York, he had gone from penniless immigrant to successful businessperson by meeting the booming city’s food needs.

From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026

Avelo is trying to make changes far enough in advance that customers aren’t left in a lurch, Levy said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 2026

“This partnership enhances the first-class retail experience while adding meaningful convenience for our guests,” said Caruso’s chief financial and revenue officer, Jackie Levy, in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026

Results “cleared the bar,” wrote Barclays analyst Dan Levy in a Tuesday report.

From Barron's • Apr. 27, 2026

“Bernard, take your seat,” Mr. Levy says, sounding super exasperated.

From "A Good Kind of Trouble" by Lisa Moore Ramée

Related Words

• burden
• duty
• excise
• fee
• tariff