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.
Next came the matter of taxation. — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026 In this case, that would mean products with lower alcohol content should receive lower taxation. — Adam Hoffer, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026 The Government points to no statute in which Congress used the word 'regulate' to authorize taxation. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 30 June 2026 One important feature of partnership taxation is that taxable income and cash distributions don’t always match. — Nancy Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 June 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 7 Jul. 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

Nglish: Translation of taxation for Spanish Speakers

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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
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
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All