levy

[ lev-ee ]

/ ˈlɛv i /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR levy ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural lev·ies.

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

the amount owed or collected.

the conscription of troops.

the troops conscripted.

verb (used with object), lev·ied, lev·y·ing.

to impose (a tax): to levy a duty on imports.

to conscript (troops).

to start or wage (war).

verb (used without object), lev·ied, lev·y·ing.

to seize or attach property by judicial order.

Nearby words

levotorsion, levoversion, levulinic acid, levulose, levulosemia, levy, levy en masse, lew, lewd, lewes, lewis

Origin of levy

1375–1425; late Middle English leve(e) < Middle French, noun use of feminine past participle of lever to raise < Latin levāre, akin to levis light; cf. levee²

SYNONYMS FOR levy

6 draft, enlist, callup.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR levy ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

re·lev·y, verb (used with object), re·lev·ied, re·lev·y·ing.self-lev·ied, adjectiveun·lev·ied, adjective

Can be confused

levee levy

Definition for levy (2 of 2)

Levy

[ lee-vee, lev-ee for 1; lee-vee, -vahy for 2 ]

/ ˈli vi, ˈlɛv i for 1; ˈli vi, -vaɪ for 2 /

noun

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

a male given name.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for levy

The Bain investment is likely welcome news for retailers such as Levy.
The Cult of Canada Goose|Keli Goff|December 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Another major turning point, Levy said, was the popularity of National Geographic and Discovery programming.
The Cult of Canada Goose|Keli Goff|December 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In the wake of 26/11, Scott-Clark and Levy report, the ISI perpetuated the lie that the ten gunmen had been martyred in Kashmir.
When India Failed in the Mumbai Terrorist Attacks|Emma Garman|November 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Hume noted that government debt is easy to levy while its costs are hidden.
Austerity’s Scottish Ghosts Haunt the Modern Economic Mind|Mark Blyth|May 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST

But Levy does admit that his “fantasy” is no short-term panacea.
Why One State Won't Work|Brent E. Sasley|April 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The Assembly claimed the exclusive right to levy general taxes.
Virginia under the Stuarts 1607-1688|Thomas J. Wertenbaker
(c) Levy rates on the rental values of the district, and borrow money on the security of such rates for any of the above purposes.
Socialism and Democracy in Europe|Samuel P. Orth
The ſame meaſures which ruin one claſs, ſerve as a pretext to oppreſs and levy contributions on the reſt.
A Residence in France During the Years 1792, 1793, 1794 and 1795, Complete|An English Lady
The levy of children was regarded by the Christians as a blood tax of a terrible kind.
The Turkish Empire, its Growth and Decay|Lord Eversley
The oysters are taken ashore to be opened, and Turkish inspectors are on hand to levy a tax on the product.
Wealth of the World's Waste Places and Oceania |Jewett Castello Gilson

British Dictionary definitions for levy

levy

/ (ˈlɛvɪ) /

verb levies, levying or levied (tr)

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

to conscript troops for service

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

noun plural levies

the act of imposing and collecting a tax, tariff, etc
the money so raised

the conscription of troops for service
a person conscripted in this way

Derived Forms

levier, noun

Word Origin for levy

C15: from Old French levée a raising, from lever, from Latin levāre to raise

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012