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

During his election campaign Trump pledged to impose a 20% tariff on all imports into the United States and a 60% tariff on Chinese imports.

From BBC

Trump has repeatedly pledged to impose a 60% tariff on Chinese-made goods and a 10% to 20% tariff on imports from other countries, a position he used to court voters in the manufacturing sectors.

From Salon

Columbia Sportswear recently told the Washington Post it is set to raise prices due to potential tariff impacts.

From Salon

Pharmacy funding is set by devolved governments but the medicine funding arrangements - known as the drug tariff – are decided by Westminster for pharmacies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

From BBC

It’s still unclear how widespread these tariffs will be, but Trump has raised the prospect of at least a 10% across-the-board tariff on imported goods, as well as a 60% import tax on goods from China.

From BBC

Related Words

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