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
Backgrid Photo: Backgrid The actor arrived at the Hôtel Martinez in cool, movie star style, dressed in a Shushu/tong trench coat, gray-brown trousers, Cartier sunglasses, and toting a black Hermès Box Kelly. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 21 May 2025 Instead, the capuchins toted around the baby howlers for days with few interactions — no play, minimal aggression and little interest. Marlowe Starling, CNN Money, 19 May 2025
Noun
Today's announcement does highlight a variety of accessories, including totes, so storage boxes don't seem like that much of a stretch and could prove quite special for messy, overloaded small campers, SUVs and pickup trucks everywhere. New Atlas, 4 June 2025 The supermarket chain took tote inspiration from the trending company Bogg Bag to create a budget-friendly dupe made for the pool. Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 June 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tote. Accessed 12 Jun. 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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