tariff

[ tar-if ]

noun

1. an official list or table showing the duties or customs imposed by a government on imports or exports.
2. the schedule or system of duties so imposed.
3. any duty or rate of duty in such a list or schedule.
4. any table of charges, as of a railroad, bus line, etc.
5. bill; cost; charge.

verb (used with object)

1. to subject to a tariff.
2. to put a valuation on according to a tariff.

tariff

/ ˈtærɪf /

noun

1. 1. a tax levied by a government on imports or occasionally exports for purposes of protection, support of the balance of payments, or the raising of revenue
   2. a system or list of such taxes
2. any schedule of prices, fees, fares, etc
3. 1. a method of charging for the supply of services, esp public services, such as gas and electricity

      block tariff

   2. a schedule of such charges
4. a bill of fare with prices listed; menu
5. the level of punishment imposed for a criminal offence

verb

1. to set a tariff on
2. to set a price on according to a schedule of tariffs

tariff

1. A government tax on imports, designed either to raise revenue or to protect domestic industry from foreign competition.

Derived Forms

• ˈtariffless, adjective

Other Words From

• tariff·less adjective
• pre·tariff noun adjective
• pro·tariff adjective
• re·tariff verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of tariff¹

First recorded in 1585–95; earlier tariffa, from Italian, from Arabic taʿrīfah, derivative of ʿarrafa “to make known,” akin to ʿarafa “to know”

Word History and Origins

Origin of tariff¹

C16: from Italian tariffa, from Arabic ta`rīfa to inform

Example Sentences

The two sides will trade under World Trade Organization rules, which sets the tariffs and quotas between countries that don’t have free trade agreements in place with each other.

From Vox

Both parties see tariffs as a way to put pressure on China, and that pressure is increasing as the US scrutinizes China’s repression of its Uighur minority.

From Quartz

China isn’t the only country to offer EV subsidies, but it also spurred the domestic manufacturers by ensuring imported vehicles were for a long time not eligible for subsidies, and subject to import tariffs.

From Fortune

Although China had been pledging some of those commitments for years, Mahoney argued that the deal wouldn’t have happened without applying tariffs.

From ProPublica

Consequently, LPL Financial’s Buchbinder calculates that the removal of trade tariffs with China would add billions to the earnings of S&P 500 companies.

From Fortune

Some of them, like an across-the-board tariff on Chinese goods, might actually work.

From The Daily Beast

The U.K. has adopted a healthy feed-in tariff that guarantees solar system owners an attractive price for the energy they produce.

From The Daily Beast

Everybody knows how the Tariff and Labour questions were settled.

From The Daily Beast

They impose non-tariff barriers against exports and buy foreign companies while denying foreign ownership in their own economies.

From The Daily Beast

The tariff of 1828, the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which led to the civil war in “Bloody Kansas” and ultimately to the Civil War itself.

From The Daily Beast

But they have tied their credit system in the bonds of narrow banking laws and their trade in those of a cramping tariff.

From Project Gutenberg

Fortunately the results would not be immediately apparent, otherwise he would be compelled to raise his tariff for cheap suits.

From Project Gutenberg

Let us look at their two main measures—the new tariff and the new corn-law.

From Project Gutenberg

There is a perfect identity of principle, both working to the same good end, between the existing corn-law and the new tariff.

From Project Gutenberg

One may now search hours for one, and, if found, have to pay four or five times the old tariff.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cost
• duty
• excise
• levy
• price
• rate
• tax
• toll

More About Tariff

What does tariff mean?

A tariff is a tax or duty on products that come into a country (imports) or leave it (exports), imposed by the country’s government.

A tariff is also the list of taxes a government imposes on imports and exports.

To tariff can mean to subject to a tariff.

Example: There is a high tariff on foreign music CDs, so I just stream it instead.

Where does tariff come from?

The first records of the term tariff come from the late 1500s. It ultimately comes from the Arabic ‘arrafa, meaning “to make known.” A tariff is most commonly associated with a board or chart readily available at ports and customs that lists the taxes imposed on different imports.

Tariffs are often used to try to protect industries within a country that make the same kind of products that are being imported to. By charging a tariff for an import, it is hoped that the price the customer pays for the product will be more for the imported product than for the domestic one. For example, if the United States wants to encourage its citizens to buy cars made in the US, it might impose a tariff on cars made in other countries and then imported to the US. There is a lot of debate about whether tariffs really do encourage customers to buy domestic goods.

In the same way that a chart will show tariffs on goods, a tariff can also be found at public transportation centers such as a bus or train station. These tariffs often list charges such as fares and fees for pets, as well as a variety of discounts, such as for children and veterans.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to tariff? 

• tariffless (adjective)
• pretariff (adjective, noun)
• protariff (adjective)
• retariff (verb)

What are some synonyms for tariff?

• cost
• duty
• excise
• levy
• tax

What are some words that share a root or word element with tariff? 

• tariff office

What are some words that often get used in discussing tariff?

• cost
• economy
• export
• government
• import

How is tariff used in real life?

Tariff is most commonly used in trade and economics discussions. It is a hot topic in politics from time to time, and tariffs can directly impact foreign affairs.

The Biden admin has struck a deal with European Union officials to lift some tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, resolving a bitter trade stand-off that began under Trump. https://t.co/VItceEupIv

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) October 30, 2021

It's a happy Diwali to the people of Punjab, thanks to people-centric policy of Congress govt – facilitating the cheapest electricity tariffs in the country.

We pledge to relentlessly strive to ease the lives of citizens across India as well.

A very #HappyDiwali to you all. pic.twitter.com/pb9QcLdDED

— Congress (@INCIndia) November 4, 2021

Public Service Enterprise Group (PEG) surprised the market with Q1 result. J.P. Morgan Chase changed the rating to Sell, as Public Service Enterprise Group (PEG) faces growth challenge from new tariff policies.

— EquityMarketPredictor (@GoldmanSachBOT) November 4, 2021

 

 

Try using tariff!

Which of the following is NOT a synonym for tariff?

A. excise
B. tax
C. duty
D. refund