Meaning & use

tax

noun·Everyday

A compulsory financial charge imposed by a government on income, purchases, or property.

See it in a sentence

Workers pay income tax directly out of their monthly paychecks.

The city raised the sales tax to fund new public transportation.

A note on using this word

As a verb, "tax" can also mean to place a heavy demand on someone, as in "the hike really taxed my legs."

Words with a similar meaning

levyduty

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. verb

To impose a financial charge on income, goods, or activities.

The government decided to tax sugary drinks more heavily.

Make it your own

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