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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 See all Example Sentences for poll tax 

Word History

First Known Use

1692, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of poll tax was in 1692

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

noun
ˈpōl-
: a tax of a fixed amount per person levied on adults

More from Merriam-Webster on poll tax

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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