plural levies
1
a
: the imposition or collection of an assessment
The government imposed a levy on gasoline.
b
: an amount levied
2
a
: the enlistment or conscription of people for military service
b
: troops raised by levy
turned green levies into fighting soldiers
levied; levying
1
a
: to impose or collect by legal authority
levy a tax
b
: to require by authority
2
: to enlist or conscript for military service
3
: to carry on (war) : wage
: to seize property
levier
noun
Examples of levy in a Sentence
Noun
the legislators approved a new levy on imported cattle to help protect American ranchers
Verb
They levied a tax on imports.
The government will levy a fine on the company.
Recent Examples on the Web
Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2026
These dollars are not part of the levy and not part of any TIF (Tax Increment Finance) district.
—Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
Local governments levy taxes, assessors value property, multiple appeals bodies issue rulings, clerks calculate rates, treasurers prepare bills and the Illinois Department of Revenue oversees uniformity.
—Joe Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for levy
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show current usage.
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Noun
When levies spiked 150% for exports from the Asian country days later, everything slowed.
—Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2026
These dollars are not part of the levy and not part of any TIF (Tax Increment Finance) district.
—Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
However, his exit came amid allegations of misogyny that were levied weeks prior, as he was accused of making offensive comments about women.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
Local governments levy taxes, assessors value property, multiple appeals bodies issue rulings, clerks calculate rates, treasurers prepare bills and the Illinois Department of Revenue oversees uniformity.
—Joe Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for levy
Cite this Entry
“Levy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/levy. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
levy
1 of 2 noun
plural levies
1
a
: the laying or collection especially of a tax
b
: an amount levied
2
: the calling of troops into service
levy
2 of 2 verb
levied; levying
1
: to establish or collect by legal authority
levy a tax
levy a fine
2
: to raise or collect troops for military service
Legal Definition
levy
1 of 2 noun
plural levies
1
: an act of levying: as
a
: the imposition or collection of a tax
b
: the seizure according to a writ of execution of real or personal property in a judgment debtor's possession to satisfy a judgment debt
2
: an amount levied : tax
providing for a levy of 3% on income up to $10,000—D. Q. Posin
D. Q. Posinlevy
2 of 2 verb
levied; levying
1
: to impose or collect (as a tax or fine) with authority
allow it to levy stiffer penalties for some safety violations—National Law Journal
National Law Journal
: to enforce a writ of execution or attachment
specifically
: to make a seizure of real or personal property in a judgment debtor's possession
they might as a last resort levy on his merchandise —J. J. White and R. S. Summers
J. J. White and R. S. Summers Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
