Levy
/ˈlɛvi/
Definitions
3 meaningsAn act of imposing a tax, fee, or fine.
/ˈlɛvi/
A compulsory assessment, especially of a tax or fine.
The city council approved a new levy on property owners.
💡 Simply: Imagine the government wants to get some extra money, so they make everyone pay a little extra. That extra payment is called a levy.
👶 For kids: It's like when grown-ups have to pay extra money to the government.
More Examples
A special levy was enacted to fund the school's new programs.
The environmental levy aims to encourage sustainable practices.
How It's Used
"The government imposed a hefty levy on imported goods."
"A fine was set as a levy for breaking curfew."
To impose or collect a tax or fine.
/ˈlɛvi/
To impose a tax, fine, or other charge.
The government decided to levy a tax on sugary drinks.
💡 Simply: It's when the government, or someone in charge, says you have to pay some extra money. For example, they might levy a tax on your shopping bill.
👶 For kids: It's when the boss says you have to pay money.
More Examples
The authorities will levy a penalty for late payment.
The company was forced to levy a charge to maintain its services.
How It's Used
"The government will levy a new tax on carbon emissions."
"The court levied a fine against the company for environmental violations."
To conscript or recruit soldiers or troops.
/ˈlɛvi/
To enlist (troops) or conscript (men) for military service.
The general decided to levy troops from the countryside.
💡 Simply: Imagine a general needs a lot of soldiers, so he asks people to join the army. That recruiting of soldiers is called levying.
👶 For kids: When the army needs more people to fight and tells them to join.
More Examples
The government was forced to levy a draft to bolster its army.
The army was forced to levy fresh recruits to bolster their ranks
How It's Used
"The king planned to levy soldiers to fight the invaders."
"During the war, they levied the young men in the village."
Synonyms
Assessment
Charge
Duty
Assess
Collect
Exact
Impose
Draft
Enlist
Idioms & expressions
levy a complaint
To formally submit or register a grievance.
"The customer decided to levy a formal complaint against the company after the poor service."
From Old French *levée* (“a raising, collection of a tax”) which comes from *lever* (“to raise”), from Latin *levare* (“to raise”).
Historically used to describe the imposition of taxes and the raising of military forces, often with connotations of urgency and authority.
Memory tip
Think of a *levee* – it *raises* the water level. A levy *raises* money.