often attributive
: sheet metal and especially tinplate for use in domestic and ornamental wares in which it is usually japanned or painted and often elaborately decorated
also
: objects made of tole
1
: a tax or fee paid for some liberty or privilege (as of passing over a highway or bridge)
2
: compensation for services rendered: such as
a
: a charge for transportation
b
: a charge for a long-distance telephone call
3
: a grievous or ruinous price
inflation has taken its toll
especially
: cost in life or health
the death toll from the hurricane
tolled; tolling; tolls
: to take or levy toll
1
a
: to exact part of as a toll
b
: to take as toll
2
: to exact a toll from (someone)
tolled; tolling; tolls
: to sound with slow measured strokes
the bell tolls solemnly
1
: to sound (a bell) by pulling the rope
2
a
: to give signal or announcement of
the clock tolled each hour
b
: to announce by tolling
church bells tolled the death of the bishop
c
: to call to or from a place or occasion
bells tolled the congregation to church
variants
or tole
tolled or toled; tolling or toling
2
a
: to entice (game) to approach
b
: to attract (fish) with scattered bait
c
: to lead or attract (domestic animals) to a desired point
Examples of tole in a Sentence
Verb (2)
let the church bells joyously toll on this most happy occasion
Recent Examples on the Web
Michael Praats,
Charlotte Observer,
4 July 2026
According to a Texas lawmaker's June report, Kerr County bore the heaviest toll, with 117 confirmed deaths, including 37 children.
—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
4 July 2026
Jamey Keaten,
Los Angeles Times,
1 July 2026
Shippers and producers have grown increasingly concerned about the prospect that Iran will seek to toll the strait in future, after the memorandum of understanding signed with the US said only that transit would be free for the duration of its 60-day term.
—
Alex Longley,
Fortune,
20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for tole
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
As the Interstate 77 South toll-lane project continues to cause debate and controversy, discussions behind the scenes regarding the possible expansion of the existing toll lanes on the interstate are happening.
—
Michael Praats,
Charlotte Observer,
4 July 2026
According to a Texas lawmaker's June report, Kerr County bore the heaviest toll, with 117 confirmed deaths, including 37 children.
—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
4 July 2026
Verb
Bells tolled through the misty Alpine mountain valley as hundreds of priests walked two by two to the altar under a tent to start the service and then again at the end.
—
Jamey Keaten,
Los Angeles Times,
1 July 2026
Shippers and producers have grown increasingly concerned about the prospect that Iran will seek to toll the strait in future, after the memorandum of understanding signed with the US said only that transit would be free for the duration of its 60-day term.
—
Alex Longley,
Fortune,
20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for tole
Cite this Entry
“Tole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tole. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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