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

Washington, under Trump, views this not as an independent initiative but as an obstruction, and is increasingly willing to use tariffs, energy threats, and diplomatic pressure to bring Paris back into line. —Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026

The near- and long-term expectations are back at rates hit during the latter part of last year, when tariffs added to inflationary pressures. —Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 22 May 2026

Verb

And any country that buys cheap Russian oil to prop up Putin that doesn’t help Ukraine can be tariffed. —NBC news, 17 May 2026

How will tariff refunds impact consumers? —Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 1 May 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