tote

1 of 5

verb (1)

ˈtōt

toted; toting

Synonyms of tote

transitive verb

: to carry by hand : bear on the person : lug, pack

: haul, convey

toter

ˈtō-tər

noun

tote

2 of 5

verb (2)

toted; toting

transitive verb

: add, total

—usually used with up

… toted up his accomplishments …—G. P. Morrill

tote

4 of 5

noun (3)

tot·er ˈtōtə(r)

plural -s

: one that totes

Examples of tote in a Sentence

Verb (1) toted his dog from the muddy backyard to the bathtub for a thorough washing

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.

Verb

Johnson toted a green glass water bottle and her phone as the pair made their way through a parking lot, with Kelly carrying a brown paper bag. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2026 Silver Star does not ask Defendants to change their setlist, narrative, politics, choreography, or even their decision to put gun-toting performers on stage. — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2026

Noun

This water-repellent travel tote fits a 16-inch laptop and includes waterproof pockets and a separate shoe compartment. — Kaitlin Gates, Travel + Leisure, 22 Oct. 2026 Accessories—like The Row’s slouchy tote and Celine’s metal bracelet—bring the look firmly into the now. — Laura Jackson, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tote

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

probably from an English-based creole; akin to Gullah & Krio tot to carry, of Bantu origin; akin to Kikongo -tota to pick up, Kimbundu -tuta to carry

Verb (2)

English dialect tote, noun, total

Noun (2)

short for totalizator

First Known Use

Verb (1)

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

circa 1772, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb (2)

1830, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of tote was in 1677

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

to taste

tote

tote bag

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Tote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tote. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

tote

verb

ˈtōt

toted; toting

: to carry by hand

toter noun

tote

verb (1)

noun (1)

verb (2)

noun (2)

noun (3)

Synonyms of tote

Examples of tote in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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tote

verb (1)

noun (1)

verb (2)

noun (2)

noun (3)

Synonyms of tote

Examples of tote in a Sentence

Word History

Phrases Containing tote

Rhymes for tote

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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