tote

¹

[toht]

verb (used with object)

toted, toting 

1. to carry, as on one's back or in one's arms.

   to tote a bundle.

2. to carry on one's person.

   to tote a gun.

3. to transport or convey, as on a vehicle or boat.

noun

1. the act or course of toting.

2. something that is toted.

3. tote bag.

tote

²

[toht]

verb (used with object)

toted, toting 

1. Informal.,  to add up; total.

tote

³

[toht]

noun

Informal.

1. a totalizator.

tote

¹

/ təʊt /

verb

1. (tr) to carry, convey, or drag

noun

1. the act of or an instance of toting

2. something toted

Tote

²

/ təʊt /

noun

1. (sometimes not capital) short for totalizator totalizator

Other Word Forms

• totable adjective
• toteable adjective
• toter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tote¹

An Americanism dating back to 1670–80; origin uncertain

Origin of tote²

First recorded in 1885–90; probably verb use of tote, shortening of total

Origin of tote³

First recorded in 1890–95; by shortening

Word History and Origins

Origin of tote¹

C17: of obscure origin

Example Sentences

Woo has taken his plantains to go; they’re wrapped up neatly in a makeshift tote bag.

Read more on Literature

“It seemed pretty heavy, even without clothes in it. Still, if you’re getting picked up by a car service, toting it isn’t as much of an issue.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Perplexity sells tote bags and baseball caps sporting the winged type.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

For that reason, he decides she’s useful and totes her around like a backpack.

Read more on Salon

The finished product, titled “Commietown,” used racially inflammatory images, including those of threatening Arab men, some toting guns, and a Black man chasing people on a subway platform with a machete.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bag 
• handbag 
• satchel 
• shopping bag 
• tote bag