Synonyms

toting

American

[toh-ting] / ˈtoʊ tɪŋ /

noun

Southern U.S.

the practice of taking home food from an employer by a person engaged in domestic service.
the food so taken.

Etymology

Origin of toting

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60; tote ¹ + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He was Sylvester Stallone in the 1986 action movie “Cobra,” toting a machine gun.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

They get all kinds, from well-to-do couples toting their toy pooches in the same designer bag as their medications, to criminally neglected unhoused people.

From Salon • Jan. 8, 2026

This is especially true now that everyone on a plane is toting multiple lithium ion–powered devices.

From Slate • Mar. 14, 2025

Its customers will receive some of their money back, but are still toting up their losses.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 15, 2024

"Those guys doing all the toting ain't nothing but trusties. Soon as they get through they'll lock 'em up again."

From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023