tithe

American  

[tahyth] / taɪð /

British, tythe

noun

1. Sometimes tithes. the tenth part of agricultural produce or personal income set apart as an offering to God or for works of mercy, or the same amount regarded as an obligation or tax for the support of the church, priesthood, or the like.

2. any tax, levy, or the like, especially of one-tenth.

3. a tenth part or any indefinitely small part of anything.

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verb (used with object)

tithed, tithing

1. to give or pay a tithe or tenth of (produce, money, etc.).

2. to give or pay tithes on (crops, income, etc.).

3. to exact a tithe from (a person, community, parish, etc.).

4. to levy a tithe on (crops, income, etc.).

verb (used without object)

tithed, tithing

1. to give or pay a tithe.

tithe British  

/ taɪð /

noun

1. (often plural) Christianity a tenth part of agricultural or other produce, personal income, or profits, contributed either voluntarily or as a tax for the support of the church or clergy or for charitable purposes

2. any levy, esp of one tenth

3. a tenth or very small part of anything

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verb

1. (tr)

   1. to exact or demand a tithe or tithes from (an individual or group)

   2. to levy a tithe upon (a crop or amount of produce, etc)

2. (intr) to pay a tithe or tithes

tithe Cultural  

1. A tenth part of one's annual income contributed to support the clergy or a church. The Mosaic law required the Israelites to pay a tithe for the support of worship.

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Other Word Forms

• titheless
  adjective
• tither
  noun
• untithed
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of tithe

First recorded before 900; (for the noun) Middle English ti(ghe)the, Old English teogotha tenth; (for the verb) Middle English tithen, Old English teogothian “to take the tenth of,” derivative of the noun

Explanation

To tithe is to make a contribution equal to one-tenth of your income, usually to a church or religious institution. Devout church-goers usually tithe, even in years when their finances are very tight. Tithe comes from the Old English word teogotha, which means “tenth.” To tithe is to relinquish one-tenth of your personal income, either as a mandatory contribution, a voluntary donation, or as a levy. In ancient times farmers were required to tithe a portion of their crops. You may suspect that some of the wealthiest members of your church don’t really tithe as expected.

Example Sentences

The English king was criticized for spending most of his reign abroad while bleeding the country dry via the Saladin Tithe and plunging its people into poverty.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

The English king was criticized for spending most of his reign abroad while bleeding the country dry via the Saladin Tithe and plunging its people into poverty.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

Upminster Tithe Barn, a large thatched barn built in the mid-15th Century for Waltham Abbey, was added to the register.

From BBC • Nov. 9, 2023

Police said they were called to reports of a person being struck by a car in Tithe Farm Road, Houghton Regis, at about 01:20 GMT.

From BBC • Nov. 13, 2022

I said they might go on till the Tithe Bill went to the House of Lords, when they would expunge the appropriation clause.

From The Greville Memoirs A Journal of the Reigns of King George IV and King William IV, Vol. III by Greville, Charles

Related Words

• contribution
• cost
• duty
• expense
• fine
• levy
• price
• rate
• tariff