levy

[ lev-ee ]

/ ˈlɛv i /

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See 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.

OTHER WORDS FOR levy

6 draft, enlist, callup.

See synonyms for levy on Thesaurus.com

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Question 1 of 7

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showing self-respect

treating others with kindness

acting selfishly

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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. levee²

OTHER WORDS FROM levy

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

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH levy

levee, levy

Other definitions 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. 2022

How to use levy in a sentence

The legal challenge contends that Maryland’s first-in-the-nation tax is unfair, unconstitutional and incompatible with federal laws that prohibit state policymakers from instituting levies specifically targeting online services.
Silicon Valley-backed groups sue Maryland to kill country’s first-ever online advertising tax|Tony Romm|February 18, 2021|Washington Post
Digiday caught up with Levy to hear more about his latest investment, what the future of esports means for advertisers, how the industry is borrowing from the media owner playbook and more.
‘The next billion-dollar sports franchise could be in esports’: Former Turner president David Levy on why his latest venture is in the burgeoning category|Seb Joseph|October 1, 2020|Digiday
Levying sales taxes on Internet commerce would allow many states to tap into a new vein of funds.
Three Cheers for the Internet Tax!|Daniel Gross|April 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The litany of accusations included levying illegal late fees and wrongly charging late fees.
American Express Charges Backward, Laying Off 5,400|Daniel Gross|January 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST

The NCAA came down on Penn State for its ‘conspiracy of silence,’ levying a $60 million fine.
NCAA Sanctions: Let’s Forget About Football Now|Daleen Berry|July 23, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Moreover, the debate about levying new sanctions on Iran is likely to produce even greater tension.
Russia's New Push for Power|Judith Miller, Doug Schoen|April 19, 2010|DAILY BEAST
I guess when we begin collecting judgments by levying on the new road, there won't be much of it left.
Scattergood Baines|Clarence Budington Kelland
Such bank was in fact to enjoy a monopoly of levying the fines which the laws of the country imposed upon swearing.
A Cursory History of Swearing|Julian Sharman
The dukes formed a standing army, and succeeded in levying hearth taxes (fouages) throughout Brittany.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3|Various
The only exception to the authority of Parliament over the colonies was levying internal taxes.
The Loyalists of America and Their Times, Vol. 1 of 2|Egerton Ryerson
A foreign state, an enemy levying war, cannot commit treason.
Nullification, Secession Webster's Argument and the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions|Caleb William Loring

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 of levy

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

levy

OTHER WORDS FOR levy

Origin of levy

OTHER WORDS FROM levy

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH levy

Other definitions for levy (2 of 2)

Words related to levy

How to use levy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for levy

Derived forms of levy

Word Origin for levy