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 trends in apparel import volumes generally follow the trajectory of tariff rates, which have become highly mutable within the context of the modern trade environment. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026

Republicans have increasingly been forced to play defense in the final weeks, trying to shore up their candidates in GOP strongholds nationwide as voters reel from high gas prices, Trump’s tariffs policies and the war against Iran. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

Verb

Trump just last month signed into law legislation that enables him to tariff the top purchasers of Russian crude oil or gas. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026

The president's move to tariff Canada comes as households in the United States are already facing financial pressures stemming from rising gas prices in the midst of the war in Iran, which has crossed the six-month mark. — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 1 Sep. 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