tote

1 of 4

verb (1)

toted; toting

transitive verb

1
: to carry by hand : bear on the person : lug, pack
2
toter noun

tote

2 of 4

noun (1)

1
2

tote

3 of 4

verb (2)

toted; toting

transitive verb

: add, total
usually used with up
toted up his accomplishmentsG. P. Morrill

tote

4 of 4

noun (2)

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
One even did so with a bag, toting around a carryall in what looks like Bottega Veneta’s intrecciato weave. Check out all the looks in the gallery above. Alex Badia, WWD, 18 Dec. 2024 For many players, half the fun of tennis is the fashion that comes with the sport, from stylish tennis dresses and skirts to bags for toting extras like balls, a towel, a water bottle, and beyond. Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
In 2024, Kylie initiated her mom into the club by presenting her with a Goyard tote personalized with paintings of her six kids (Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, Rob, Kendall and Kylie) as children. Alex Apatoff, People.com, 27 Dec. 2024 If your bags are looking worse for wear after a busy 2024 travel year, Nordstrom has luggage sets, totes, duffels, and more deeply discounted. Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 2024 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)

1888, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1891, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tote was in 1677

Dictionary Entries Near tote

Cite this Entry

“Tote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tote. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

tote

verb
ˈtōt
toted; toting
: to carry by hand
toter noun

More from Merriam-Webster on tote

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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