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levy

LEV-ee /ˈlev.i/

verbnounC1GREGMATUPSCCAT

formallegalofficial

To impose or collect a tax, fee, or fine; (as a noun) an official tax or financial assessment imposed by authority.

Implies an obligatory, legally enforced demand for funds by a governing body.

The story behind the word. Derived from Old French 'lever' and Latin 'levare' (to lift or raise). Historically, when a king called for troops or money, he 'raised' an army or 'raised' funds from his subjects. Over time, 'levy' specifically meant the official act of raising money via taxes.

Word relationships

impose: 'Impose' applies to any rule, punishment, or duty, while 'levy' specifically refers to mandatory financial assessments or military drafts.
exact: 'Exact' emphasizes demanding and forcefully collecting money, whereas 'levy' is the formal legal process of enacting a tax.

exempt: 'Exempt' means freeing someone from a obligation or tax, the opposite of levying one on them.

Commonly confused with

levee: 'Levy' is a tax or fee imposed by authorities; 'levee' is an earthen wall built to stop river flooding.

Word family

levied (verb (past tense)): Imposed or collected by authority.

Collocations

levy taxes
levy a fine
impose a levy
bank levy
special levy

Example sentences

"The city council voted to levy a emergency tax on local hotel bookings to finance transit improvements." Tax Policy
"A heavy carbon levy was imposed on manufacturing companies that exceeded emissions thresholds." Environmental Regulation

Memory hook

Levy = LIFT up funds out of citizens' pockets for public use. Levy = Legally raise taxes or fees.

When not to use

Do not confuse with 'levee' (an embankment built to prevent freshwater flooding along rivers).

Fun facts

Historically, a 'levy' applied to people as well as money — feudal lords used to 'levy troops' to raise peasant armies for war.