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poll tax
noun
: a tax of a fixed amount per person levied on adults and often linked to the right to vote
Examples of poll tax in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Prior to council tax, there was poll tax which was so wildly unpopular, people began rioting across England.
—Tanyel Mustafa, refinery29.com, 12 Jan. 2024
But a Venezuelan passport costs more than $300, a price that amounts to a poll tax because few migrants can afford them.
—John Otis, NPR, 16 Apr. 2024
The wholesale purchase of poll tax receipts by others not in the purchaser's immediate family was widespread, and illegally obtained poll tax receipts were widely distributed by candidates to their supporters.
—Arkansas Online, 6 Nov. 2022
In a state where Republicans pass tougher and tougher voting restrictions every legislative session, the Alabama Democratic Party has responded by enacting its own sort of poll tax.
—Kyle Whitmire, al, 6 May 2023
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Word History
First Known Use
1692, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near poll tax
Cite this Entry
“Poll tax.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poll%20tax. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
poll tax
noun
: a tax of a fixed amount per adult person that is often linked to the right to vote
Legal Definition
poll tax
nounˈpōl-
: a tax of a fixed amount per person levied on adults
More from Merriam-Webster on poll tax
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for poll tax
Britannica English: Translation of poll tax for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about poll tax
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