tax

1 of 3

noun

often attributive
1
a
: a charge usually of money imposed by authority on persons or property for public purposes
b
: a sum levied on members of an organization to defray expenses
2
: a heavy demand

tax

2 of 3

verb

taxed; taxing; taxes

transitive verb

1
: to levy a tax on
2
: to make onerous and rigorous demands on
the job taxed her strength
3
: charge, accuse
taxed him with neglect of duty
also : censure
4
: to assess or determine judicially the amount of (costs in a court action)
5
obsolete : to enter (a name) in a list
there went out a decree … that all the world should be taxedLuke 2:1 (King James Version)
taxable adjective
taxer noun

tax-

3 of 3

combining form

variants or taxo- or less commonly taxi-
: arrangement
taxeme
taxidermy

Examples of tax in a Sentence

Noun The decision was made to raise taxes. He was accused of evading taxes. What was your income before taxes? What is the amount of tax to be paid? What was your income before tax? Verb He believes in taxing the rich to give to the poor. You are taxed according to your income. puzzles that tax your brain
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Rates: $887 per night, plus a 21 percent tax and service charge. Annie Daly, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2024 The bonds were envisioned to be repaid through a mix of revenues from the project, including a ticket tax, parking fees, concession taxes, income taxes levied on athletes performing at the arena and naming rights from the district. Sarah Rankin, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2024 The changes were unveiled in Hunt’s budget announcement Wednesday, which included billions in tax cuts for workers ahead of the first general election since 2019. Anna Cooban, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024 Early voting starting for Royals & Chiefs stadiums tax. Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2024 But one thing that luxury buyers, sellers, and agents will have to look out for is the mansion tax: a darling of politicians pushing for more affordable housing support and a detriment to those close to the luxury-housing market. Sydney Lake, Fortune, 24 Feb. 2024 Proposition 1 will allow the state to bond against existing tax revenue to provide thousands of additional inpatient beds for people seeking mental health or addiction treatment as well as thousands of additional outpatient opportunities statewide. The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2024 But there was one catch: Stephen — then 54 — would have to first cover a Mexican federal tax of $3,900 that would be held in escrow, and credited back to him when the deal closed. Steve Fisher, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024 Noel's wife also faces charges of theft and tax evasion. Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 23 Feb. 2024
Verb
But putting the proposals in his prime-time address Thursday reflects part of Biden’s 2024 strategy to campaign on economic inequality, as Democrats emphasize their plans to reduce the deficit and expand social programs by taxing the wealthy. Jeff Stein, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024 The owners of those properties paid nearly $1 million in real estate taxes last year, meaning local taxing districts — chief among them Kansas City Public Schools — could take a financial hit initially, unless arrangements were made to reimburse them in some way. Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 1 Mar. 2024 The funds came from residents who voted to tax themselves for conservation — much like the recent 2020 land referendum. Ryan Ballogg, Miami Herald, 29 Feb. 2024 Capital gains and dividends would be taxed at 15 percent. Howard Gleckman, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 The big election year action will be on a spate of high-dollar ballot measures, particularly those that would affect how Californians are taxed. Dan Walters, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024 Instead, we are taxed on our adjusted gross income, as Mr. Heller points out. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2024 Hawaii is the latest destination to consider taxing visitors to help address the effects of climate change and overtourism, two issues that are particularly front of mind in the Aloha State following the devastating Lahaina fire. Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Feb. 2024 Another key consideration is that women are finally scoring more CEO titles as the corner office job becomes increasingly taxing. Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tax.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, to estimate, assess, tax, from Anglo-French taxer, from Medieval Latin taxare, from Latin, to feel, estimate, censure, frequentative of tangere to touch — more at tangent entry 2

Combining form

Greek taxi-, from taxis

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Time Traveler
The first known use of tax was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near tax

Cite this Entry

“Tax.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tax. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

tax

1 of 2 verb
1
: to require to pay a tax
2
: to accuse of something
taxed them with carelessness
3
: to make heavy demands on : strain
taxed our strength
taxer noun

tax

2 of 2 noun
1
: a charge usually of money set by authority on persons or property for public purposes
2
: something (as an effort or duty) that makes heavy demands : strain

Legal Definition

tax

1 of 2 transitive verb
1
: to assess or determine judicially the amount of (costs of an action in court)
2
: to levy a tax on
tax the corporation
tax capital gains
taxer noun

tax

2 of 2 noun
often attributive
1
: a charge usually of money imposed by legislative or other public authority upon persons or property for public purposes
2
: a sum levied on members of an organization to defray expenses
Etymology

Transitive verb

Medieval Latin taxare to assess for taxation, tax, from Latin, to assess, value, fix

More from Merriam-Webster on tax

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