First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1tax
transitive verb \ˈtaks\
: to require (someone) to pay a tax
: to require someone to pay a tax on (something)
: to require a lot from (something or someone) : to put demands on (something or someone)
Full Definition of TAX
1
: to assess or determine judicially the amount of (costs in a court action)
2
: to levy a tax on
3
obsolete : to enter (a name) in a list <there went out a decree…that all the world should be taxed — Luke 2:1(Authorized Version)>
5
: to make onerous and rigorous demands on <the job taxed her strength>
— tax·able \ˈtak-sə-bəl\ adjective
— tax·er noun
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Origin of TAX
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
Other Economics Terms
2tax
noun, often attributive
: an amount of money that a government requires people to pay according to their income, the value of their property, etc., and that is used to pay for the things done by the government
Full Definition of TAX
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
See tax defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of TAX
14th century
Related to TAX
- Synonyms
- assessment, duty, imposition, impost, levy
Other Economics Terms
TAXABLE Defined for Kids
1tax
noun \ˈtaks\
Definition of TAX for Kids
: money collected by the government from people or businesses for public use
2tax
verb
taxedtax·ing
Definition of TAX for Kids
1
: to require to pay money to a government for public use
2
: to cause a strain on <Fighting to survive the storm taxed their strength.>
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