tax

Definitions

1. noun

   Money that people pay to the government to fund services.

   Examples

   • Income tax pays for most government services.
   • You pay tax on things you buy.
   ≈impost≈tribute≈contribution≈duty≈toll +7 more
2. noun

   A payment or service demanded from someone by a group or leader.

   Examples

   • The guild demanded a tax from every new apprentice.
   • We pay a cheese tax at home whenever we eat cheese.
3. noun

   Something that puts a heavy strain on you.

   Examples

   • The long trip was a heavy tax on his health.
   • The commute is a real tax on his patience.
4. verb

   To make a person or company pay tax.

   Examples

   • Some people think we should tax the wealthy more.
   • The country taxes workers on their income.
5. verb

   To put a tax on something.

   Examples

   • The government decided to tax luxury goods more.
   • They want to tax sugary drinks.
6. verb

   To ask too much of someone.

   Examples

   • Do not tax my patience.
   • The long hike taxed even the fittest hikers.
7. verb

   To blame someone for something, in old-fashioned use.

   Examples

   • The board taxed him with carelessness.
   • She taxed him with breaking his promise.
8. verb

   To check accounts and decide what costs are allowed.

   Examples

   • The clerk was asked to tax the accounts.
   • The court taxed the legal costs before paying damages.