often attributive
: sheet metal and especially tinplate for use in domestic and ornamental wares in which it is usually japanned or painted and often elaborately decorated
also
: objects made of tole
1
: a tax or fee paid for some liberty or privilege (as of passing over a highway or bridge)
2
: compensation for services rendered: such as
a
: a charge for transportation
b
: a charge for a long-distance telephone call
3
: a grievous or ruinous price
inflation has taken its toll
especially
: cost in life or health
the death toll from the hurricane
tolled; tolling; tolls
: to take or levy toll
1
a
: to exact part of as a toll
b
: to take as toll
2
: to exact a toll from (someone)
tolled; tolling; tolls
: to sound with slow measured strokes
the bell tolls solemnly
1
: to sound (a bell) by pulling the rope
2
a
: to give signal or announcement of
the clock tolled each hour
b
: to announce by tolling
church bells tolled the death of the bishop
c
: to call to or from a place or occasion
bells tolled the congregation to church
variants
or tole
tolled or toled; tolling or toling
2
a
: to entice (game) to approach
b
: to attract (fish) with scattered bait
c
: to lead or attract (domestic animals) to a desired point
Cite this Entry
“Tole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tole. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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