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

Solar customers who had their systems installed under earlier iterations of the tariff still get compensated at the retail rate for 20 years from the time their systems became operational before the new rules affect them. —Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026

While the American economy wasn’t hit with seismic shocks, the tariffs did, as the authors mentioned, have an outsize impact on importers—hardly a surprise to industries dependent on offshore supply chains. —Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 27 Mar. 2026

Verb

The administration has threatened to tariff Cuba’s trade partners and has blockaded the island from receiving oil imports, which has sparked a deepening energy crisis in the country. —Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 7 Mar. 2026

The new rate offers significant relief for India, which has seen its exports tariffed at 50% since last summer — the highest charge on products from any major Asian trading partner. —Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Italian tariffa, from Arabic taʽrīf notification

First Known Use

Noun

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1694, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tariff

• protective tariff
• revenue tariff

Rhymes for tariff

• sherif
• sheriff
• nontariff

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