custom

[ kuhs-tuhm ]

noun

1. a habitual practice; the usual way of acting in given circumstances.
2. habits or usages collectively; convention.
3. a practice so long established that it has the force of law.
4. such practices collectively.
5. Sociology. a group pattern of habitual activity usually transmitted from one generation to another.
6. toll; duty.
7. customs,
   1. (used with a singular or plural verb) duties imposed by law on imported or, less commonly, exported goods.
   2. (used with a singular verb) the government department that collects these duties.
   3. (used with a singular verb) the section of an airport, station, etc., where baggage is checked for contraband and for goods subject to duty.
8. regular patronage of a particular shop, restaurant, etc.
9. the customers or patrons of a business firm, collectively.
10. the aggregate of customers.
11. (in medieval Europe) a customary tax, tribute, or service owed by peasants to their lord.

adjective

1. made specially for individual customers:

   custom shoes.

2. dealing in things so made, or doing work to order:

   a custom tailor.

custom

/ ˈkʌstəm /

noun

1. a usual or habitual practice; typical mode of behaviour
2. the long-established habits or traditions of a society collectively; convention

   custom dictates good manners

3. 1. a practice which by long-established usage has come to have the force of law
   2. such practices collectively (esp in the phrase custom and practice )
4. habitual patronage, esp of a shop or business
5. the customers of a shop or business collectively
6. (in feudal Europe) a tribute paid by a vassal to his lord

adjective

1. made to the specifications of an individual customer (often in the combinations custom-built , custom-made )
2. specializing in goods so made

Word History and Origins

Origin of custom¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English custume, from Anglo-French; Old French costume, from Vulgar Latin co(n)s(uē)tūmin- (unrecorded), replacing Latin consuētūdin-, stem of consuētūdō “habit, practice, tradition,” from consuē(tus) “accustomed” (past participle of consuēscere “to accustom onself,” from con- con- + suēscere “to become accustomed,” akin to suus “one's own”) + -tūdō -tude; costume

Word History and Origins

Origin of custom¹

C12: from Old French costume, from Latin consuētūdō, from consuēscere to grow accustomed to, from suēscere to be used to

Synonym Study

Custom, habit, practice mean an established way of doing things. Custom, applied to a community or to an individual, implies a more or less permanent continuance of a social usage: It is the custom to give gifts at Christmas time. Habit, applied particularly to an individual, implies such repetition of the same action as to develop a natural, spontaneous, or rooted tendency or inclination to perform it: to make a habit of reading the newspapers. Practice applies to a set of fixed habits or an ordered procedure in conducting activities: It is his practice to verify all statements.

Example Sentences

As was Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s custom, he came onto the field with Jay-Z’s “Public Service Announcement” ringing through the stadium.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s the norm and the custom. It’s embedded in the U.S. attorneys manual,” said Washington lawyer Stuart Gerson, a former acting U.S. attorney general.

From Los Angeles Times

Zoox vehicles were custom built for self-driving and feature no traditional manual controls — not even a steering wheel.

From Los Angeles Times

Even on a small scale, building a personal brand and finding like-minded people for whatever skills you're trying to monetize — anything from a lawyer selling negotiation classes to someone with 3D printing skills creating custom wedding cake toppers — can lead to business and financial success.

From Salon

Lawson turned to John Kristiansen New York to custom build Elsbeth’s Halloween look — the same costume house that constructed the fashion show garments seen in the Season 1 finale.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• method
• policy
• practice
• rite
• rule
• style
• system