tariff

1 of 2

noun

tar·​iff ˈter-əf 

ˈta-rəf

1

a

: a schedule of duties imposed by a government on imported or in some countries exported goods

b

: a duty or rate of duty imposed in such a schedule

2

: a schedule of rates or charges of a business or a public utility

3

: price, charge

tariff

2 of 2

verb

tariffed; tariffing; tariffs

transitive verb

: to subject to a tariff

Examples of tariff in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Other company leaders voiced their concerns about the threat of tariffs ahead of Saturday’s order. —Kristian Burt, CNBC, 2 Feb. 2025

Trump's threat to impose a 25 percent tariff on goods from Mexico and 10 percent tariffs on goods from China could also take effect Saturday. —Ewan Palmer, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025

Verb

The President indicated late Monday that tariffs up to 25% on Canada and Mexico could come as soon as Feb. 1. —Jeff Marks, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2025

Meanwhile, Trump also has threatened to tariff goods from many other countries, including North American neighbors Mexico and Canada. —Lisa Baertlein and Ellen Zhang, USA TODAY, 15 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Italian tariffa, from Arabic taʽrīf notification

First Known Use

Noun

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

circa 1828, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tariff

• protective tariff
• revenue tariff

Kids Definition

tariff

noun

tar·​iff

ˈtar-əf

1

a

: a list of taxes placed by a government on imported or in some countries exported goods

b

: a tax or rate of tax set up in a tariff list

2

: a list of rates or charges of a business or public service company

Legal Definition

tariff

noun

tar·​iff ˈtar-əf 

1

a

: a schedule of duties imposed by a government on imported or in some countries exported goods

b

: a duty or rate of duty imposed in such a schedule

2

: a document filed with the appropriate government agency that sets forth the rates, charges, and other provisions pertaining to services furnished by a business (as a carrier) or public utility

Etymology

Noun

Italian tariffa, from Arabic taʽrīf notification