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

The National Retail Federation warned that U.S. consumers could lose $46 billion to $78 billion in spending power each year if Trump imposes new tariffs. —Peter Green, Quartz, 9 Nov. 2024

But Chinese officials laser-focused on stabilizing their faltering economy are also mindful of the tariffs of 60% or more that Trump has vowed to impose on all Chinese imports. —Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024

Verb

How Trump and Harris differ on taxes, spending, inflation, tariffs Arizona housing agency lost $2M in wire fraud scam, audit reveals Kamala Harris to return to Arizona to court Latino voters. —Stephanie Murray, The Arizona Republic, 27 Oct. 2024

Further, economists are quick to point out that tariffs blunt comparative advantage. —Joel Shulman, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024

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