levy

/ˈlɛvi/

/ˈlɛvi/

Other forms: levied; levies; levying

Use the word levy as you would use the word tax: “When the state government imposed a levy on soft drinks, thousands of citizens took to the streets in protest.”

The word levy can act as either a verb or a noun in a sentence. The noun levy refers to a charge, such as a tax, fine, or other fee, that is imposed on something. The verb levy is used to describe the act of imposing or collecting the charge. If you need to raise money, for example, you may decide to levy a fine on your family every time you have to make the coffee in the morning. (Be careful though: your family may also take to the streets in protest.)

Definitions of levy

1. verb

   impose and collect
   “levy a fine”

   synonyms: impose

   types:

   toll

   charge a fee for using

   tithe

   levy a tithe on (produce or a crop)

   reimpose

   impose anew

   lay

   impose as a duty, burden, or punishment

   mulct

   impose a fine on

   tax

   levy a tax on

   distrain

   levy a distress on

   excise

   levy an excise tax on

   tariff

   charge a tariff

   surtax

   levy an extra tax on

   overtax

   tax excessively

   type of:

   bill, charge

   demand payment
2. noun

   a charge imposed and collected
   types:

   revenue enhancement, tax, taxation

   charge against a citizen's person or property or activity for the support of government

   tithe

   a levy of one tenth of something

   single tax

   a system of taxation in which a tax is levied on a single commodity (usually land)

   income tax

   a personal tax levied on annual income

   capital gains tax

   a tax on capital gains

   capital levy

   a tax on capital or property

   departure tax

   a tax that is levied when you are departing a country by land or sea or air

   franchise tax

   a tax that is imposed by states on corporations; it depends both on the net worth of the corporation and on its net income attributable to activities within the state

   gift tax

   a tax imposed on transfers of property by gift during the lifetime of the giver

   direct tax

   a tax paid directly by the person or organization on whom it is levied

   indirect tax

   a tax levied on goods or services rather than on persons or organizations

   capitation

   a tax levied on the basis of a fixed amount per person

   graduated tax, progressive tax

   any tax in which the rate increases as the amount subject to taxation increases

   proportional tax

   any tax in which the rate is constant as the amount subject to taxation increases

   degressive tax

   any tax in which the rate decreases as the amount subject to taxation increases

   rates

   a local tax on property (usually used in the plural)

   stamp duty, stamp tax

   a tax collected by requiring a stamp to be purchased and attached (usually on documents or publications)

   pavage

   a tax toward paving streets

   transfer tax

   any tax levied on the passing of title to property

   special assessment

   an additional tax levied on private property for public improvements that enhance the value of the property

   type of:

   charge

   financial liabilities (such as a tax)
3. verb

   cause to assemble or enlist in the military
   synonyms: raise, recruit

   type of:

   draft, enlist, muster in

   engage somebody to enter the army
4. noun

   the act of drafting into military service
   synonyms: levy en masse

   type of:

   conscription, draft, muster, selective service

   compulsory military service