A levy is an official charge or seizure of assets to satisfy a debt or obligation, typically imposed by a government or authorized authority. It can refer to both a tax or fee (a levy on income, property, or goods) and the legal action of seizing property or funds to collect a debt or enforce a judgment. The exact meaning can vary by context, but common uses include the following:

• Tax context: An amount of money that a government requires individuals or organizations to pay. Example: a levy on alcohol or a financial levy.

• Legal/seizure context: A lawful action to seize property or garnish wages to satisfy a debt or court judgment. This may occur after other collection efforts have failed.

• Administrative or procedural sense: To levy taxes or charges is to impose them; a levy can also describe the act or process of collecting these amounts.

If you have a specific context (e.g., tax policy, debt collection, or a legal proceeding in a particular country), I can tailor the explanation to that scenario.