# taxes

/ˈtæksəz/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/taxes
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. government money

noun · CEFR A2

money that you must pay to the government so they can pay for things like schools and roads.

For teachers: compulsory financial charges or other levies imposed upon a taxpayer by a governmental organisation.

- The government promised not to raise income taxes for the next four years.
- Economists argue that progressive taxes are essential for reducing wealth inequality while maintaining sufficient funding for public infrastructure.

Usage: Usually used in the plural when discussing the general system of taxation.

### 2. to collect money

verb · CEFR B1

when a government requires people to pay a percentage of their income or the cost of goods.

For teachers: to impose a tax on an individual, business, or activity; used in the third-person singular present tense.

- The city taxes local businesses to pay for the new park.
- The state taxes luxury goods at a significantly higher rate than essential items like groceries and medicine.

Usage: Takes a direct object representing the person or entity being charged.

### 3. to strain or tire

verb · CEFR B2

to make a big demand on someone's physical or mental strength.

For teachers: to make heavy demands on a person's resources, patience, or physical strength; used in the third-person singular present tense.

- Working two jobs really taxes his energy and health.
- The complexity of the legal case taxes even the most experienced judges, requiring months of careful deliberation.

### 4. biological movements

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the plural of 'taxis', which means the movement of a living thing toward or away from light or heat.

For teachers: the plural of taxis; refers to the directional movement of an organism in response to an external stimulus.

- The scientist studied how different taxes affect the way bacteria move.
- Phototactic taxes in certain marine larvae ensure that the organisms remain in the nutrient-rich upper layers of the water column.

Usage: The singular form is 'taxis', not 'tax'.

## Examples

- The government uses our taxes to build new roads.
- Many citizens feel that their local taxes are too high given the poor quality of public transportation.
- Economists argue that progressive taxes, where higher earners pay a larger percentage of their income, are essential for reducing wealth inequality within a developing nation.

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