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

The November 10 deadline for a trade truce is looming, lest tariffs surge again. —Jhasua Razo, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025

With Britain’s strongest sector, finance, benefiting from higher interest rates, and Germany’s motor vehicles and parts, struggling with tariffs and weak demand, the rivalry between the two economies is one to watch. —Adam Gale, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2025

Verb

Trump had originally threatened to tariff Chinese imports into the United States at a rate of 100% from Saturday in response to the export controls, which also included rare earth mineral production knowledge and technology. —Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 31 Oct. 2025

Buses will also be tariffed at 10% as part of the action. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Italian tariffa, from Arabic taʽrīf notification

First Known Use

Noun

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

circa 1828, 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