Ship money Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an impost levied in England to provide money for ships for national defense

WordNet


Definitions
  1. (Eng. Hist.), an imposition formerly charged on the ports, towns, cities, boroughs, and counties, of England, for providing and furnishing certain ships for the king's service. The attempt made by Charles I. to revive and enforce this tax was resisted by John Hampden, and was one of the causes which led to the death of Charles. It was finally abolished.

Webster 1913