verb

levy

LEH-vee

verb

To officially impose and collect a tax, fine, or other charge.

"The government decided to levy a new tax on sugary drinks."

"Customs officers levied a fine for the undeclared goods."

To call up people for military service.

"The king levied troops from every county in the realm."

noun

A tax, fine, or other compulsory payment.

"Homeowners face a new levy to fund local road repairs."

"The council voted to raise the school levy."

A body of troops raised by conscription.

"The general assembled a levy of untrained farmhands."

How to Use Levy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo officially demand and collect money (like a tax) — or, as a noun, the tax or charge itself.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "levee" (a river embankment) — they sound alike but are unrelated in meaning.

Easily confused with

levee →

Common pairings

levy a tax levy a fine impose a levy a new levy

levied past tense, levies plural, levies plural, levies singular

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The government decided to _____ a new tax on sugary drinks.

From Old French levee, from lever ("to raise"), from Latin levare ("to raise, lift").

bevy chevy