toll
toh
Toll (noun) means a fee charged for using a road, bridge, or similar route. Example: “You must pay a toll to drive across the long bridge.”
noun
1
A fee charged for using a road, bridge, or similar route.
"You must pay a toll to drive across the long bridge."
"Drivers complained that the tunnel toll was too high."
"There's a two-dollar toll to cross the bridge."
2
The damage, loss, or number of casualties caused by an event.
"Years of heavy rain have taken a toll on the old wooden fence."
"The death toll from the earthquake continued to rise."
"The long hours were taking a toll on his health."
verb
1
To ring a bell slowly and repeatedly, especially to mark a death or announce something solemn.
"Bells tolled across the valley as the village gathered to mourn."
"The old bell tolls once for every year of the man's life."
"The church bell tolled for the funeral procession."
How to use toll
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA fee for using something (like a road), or the damage/cost an event causes; also, the slow ringing of a bell.
Common pairings
toll road
death toll
take a toll on
toll booth
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Word forms
- Plural
- tolls
- Third person singular
- tolls
- Past tense
- tolled
Fill the gap
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You must pay a _____ to drive across the long bridge.
Etymology
From Old English "toll" ("duty, custom"), from a Germanic root meaning "that which is counted or reckoned" — related to "tell" and "tale."
Related words
Rhymes for toll
See all rhymes for toll →Frequently asked questions
What does “toll” mean?
The word “toll” means a fee charged for using a road, bridge, or similar route. In plain terms, a fee for using something (like a road), or the damage/cost an event causes; also, the slow ringing of a bell.
How do you pronounce “toll”?
“Toll” is pronounced toh ([tʰo(ʊ̯)ɫ] in IPA).
How do you use “toll” in a sentence?
Here is “toll” used in a sentence: “There's a two-dollar toll to cross the bridge.”
What part of speech is “toll”?
Depending on how it is used, “toll” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “toll” come from?
The word “toll” comes from Old English. From Old English "toll" ("duty, custom"), from a Germanic root meaning "that which is counted or reckoned" — related to "tell" and "tale.".
Is “toll” a common word?
“Toll” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “toll” have?
“Toll” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a fee charged for using a road, bridge, or similar route.
What is the difference between a toll and a fare?
A toll is a fee charged for using a road, bridge, or similar route, and is usually paid by the driver. A fare is the price paid to ride public transport such as a bus, train, or taxi.
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