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 men 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
Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 29 Oct. 2025
Trump is much more assured of surviving this week’s Senate votes, which disapprove of his tariffs on Brazil and Canada plus his global levies, but the whiplash of his trade agenda is clearly wearing on GOP senators.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 25 Oct. 2025
If approved by voters, a 5% tax would be levied on California’s roughly 200 billionaires, including tech giants like Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Ellison and Sergey Brin.
—Kate Wolffe
october 24, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for levy
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
Click or tap here to learn more about the massive levy on everyone's lips in Butler County.
—Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 29 Oct. 2025
Trump is much more assured of surviving this week’s Senate votes, which disapprove of his tariffs on Brazil and Canada plus his global levies, but the whiplash of his trade agenda is clearly wearing on GOP senators.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
The Lakeville district also is seeking to renew an expiring capital projects levy to pay for technology such as projectors and TVs, cybersecurity systems and equipment, and software for K-12 STEM education.
—Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 25 Oct. 2025
If approved by voters, a 5% tax would be levied on California’s roughly 200 billionaires, including tech giants like Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Ellison and Sergey Brin.
—Kate Wolffe
october 24, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for levy
Cite this Entry
“Levy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/levy. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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
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