levy
B2Formal, Official, Legal
Definition
Meaning
An official order to collect money (a tax, fee, or fine) or to summon people (troops). The act of imposing or collecting such a charge.
To impose and collect (a tax, fee, or fine) by authority; to formally demand payment. To enlist or conscript people for military service. Can also mean to begin legal proceedings or wage war.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as a noun for the charge itself or the act of imposing it, and as a transitive verb for the action of imposing/collecting. Strongly associated with governmental, legal, or institutional authority.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major difference in core meaning. The term is used in both varieties in legal, financial, and military contexts. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
In both, connotes official authority, often with a sense of obligation or compulsion. Can have a slightly negative connotation of an imposed burden.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English in historical/parliamentary contexts (e.g., 'levying war'), but common in American legal/financial English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
levy + NOUN (tax, fine, charge) + on + NPlevy + NOUN (tax, fine, charge) + against + NPNP + be leviedVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “levy war (against/on)”
- “to levy a toll (figurative: to take a heavy price)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The government will levy a new digital services tax on large tech companies next quarter.
Academic
The study examines the economic impact of levies imposed on carbon emissions.
Everyday
Our building's management company is proposing an extra levy to repair the roof.
Technical
The court authorised the bailiff to levy on the defendant's assets to satisfy the judgment.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The new transport levy will fund rail improvements.
- A levy on imported goods was introduced.
American English
- There's a special levy for homeowners to fund the new school.
- The environmental cleanup was paid for by a levy on industry.
verb
British English
- The council voted to levy a charge on plastic bags.
- Historically, the king could levy troops from the shires.
American English
- The city plans to levy a fine for late payment.
- The statute allows the IRS to levy penalties.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The government levies a tax on petrol.
- We pay an annual levy for the swimming pool.
- Authorities have the power to levy substantial fines for non-compliance.
- The proposed levy on sugary drinks is controversial.
- The regime's attempt to levy war against its neighbours was swiftly condemned by the UN.
- The court order permits the creditor to levy on the debtor's bank account.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the LEVY as the bill you're LEGALLY OBLIGED to pay (both start with 'Le').
Conceptual Metaphor
GOVERNMENT IS A COLLECTOR (levies taxes), WAR IS A SUMMONS (levies troops).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'налог' (tax) in all cases. 'Levy' is the act of imposing or the specific instance/type of charge, not the general system.
- Do not translate the military sense ('levy troops') as 'сбор' (meeting); use 'призыв' or 'мобилизация'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: *They levied him a fine. Correct: They levied a fine on him.
- Incorrect: *We need to pay the tax levy. (Redundant) Correct: We need to pay the levy/the tax.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the verb 'levy' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is commonly both. As a noun, it means the charge itself (e.g., 'pay a levy'). As a verb, it means to impose or collect that charge (e.g., 'levy a tax').
A 'tax' is a broader, compulsory contribution to state revenue. A 'levy' is often a specific type of tax, fee, or charge imposed for a particular purpose. All levies are a form of tax/fee, but not all taxes are called levies.
Yes, historically and formally it can mean to conscript troops (e.g., 'levy an army'). The phrase 'levy war' is a legal term meaning to begin hostilities.
Most commonly 'on' (levy a tax on income) and 'against' (levy war against). In legal contexts, you might see 'upon' (levy upon assets).