taxation

noun

tax·​a·​tion tak-ˈsā-shən How to pronounce taxation (audio)
1
: the action of taxing
especially : the imposition of taxes
2
: revenue obtained from taxes
3
: the amount assessed as a tax

Examples of taxation in a Sentence

the federal right of taxation
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Create a payroll-tax gap between $184,500 and $400,000, then resume taxation above $400,000. — Thomas Hager, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Not since voters passed Proposition 13, an iconic property tax limit, in 1978 and touched off tax revolts in other states has a California measure potentially affected America’s taxation policies so broadly. — Dan Walters, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026 Proposition 42 would outlaw retroactive taxation, directly countering Proposition 40 and killing the wealth tax. — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026 The selections were based on combined income tax, Social Security taxation, pension taxation, sales tax, and property tax. — Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for taxation

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of taxation was in the 14th century

Rhymes for taxation

See All Rhymes for taxation

Browse Nearby Words

taxaspidean
taxation
taxational
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Taxation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/taxation. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

taxation

noun
tax·​a·​tion tak-ˈsā-shən How to pronounce taxation (audio)
: the action of taxing
especially : the establishing of taxes

Legal Definition

taxation

noun
tax·​a·​tion
1
: the action of taxing: as
a
: the imposition of taxes
b
: the judicial determination of costs
2
a
: revenue obtained from taxes
b
: the amount assessed as a tax
3
: a particular system of taxing
progressive taxation

More from Merriam-Webster on taxation

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about taxation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dissonant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All