Definition of custom
1a : a usage or practice common to many or to a particular place or class or habitual with an individual It is the custom in New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras. funeral customsb : long-established practice considered as unwritten lawc : repeated practice Custom makes all things easy.d : the whole body of usages, practices, or conventions that regulate social life … family, kinship, and custom constituted the grounds of community. — V. B. Leitch
2 customs plural a : duties, tolls, or imposts imposed by the sovereign law of a country on imports or exportsb usually singular in construction : the agency, establishment, or procedure for collecting such customs went through customs at the airport without any difficulty
3a : business patronage (see patronage 4)b : usually habitual patrons : customers
From the M-W Editors
Examples of custom in a Sentence
It is the custom for the bride to wear a white dress on her wedding day.
According to custom, the festivities begin at dusk.
It's a matter of custom.
We went through customs at the airport without any difficulty.
It took us a long time to clear customs at the border.
Origin and Etymology of custom
Middle English custume, from Anglo-French, from Latin consuetudin-, consuetudo, from consuescere to accustom, from com- + suescere to accustom; akin to suus one's own — more at suicide
First Known Use: 13th century
Synonym Discussion of custom
custom
Definition of custom
1 : made or performed according to personal order
2 : specializing in custom work or operation a custom tailor
Examples of custom in a Sentence
The new kitchen will have custom cabinets.
that business tycoon wears only custom suits
Origin and Etymology of custom
see 1custom
First Known Use: 1757
CUSTOM Defined for English Language Learners
custom
playDefinition of custom for English Language Learners
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: an action or way of behaving that is usual and traditional among the people in a particular group or place
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: something that is done regularly by a person
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customs : taxes or fees that are paid to the government when goods come into or go out of a country
custom
Definition of custom for English Language Learners
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: made to fit the needs or requirements of a particular person
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: doing work that fits the needs or requirements of a particular person
CUSTOM Defined for Kids
Definition of custom for Students
1 : the usual way of doing things : the usual practice
2 customs plural : duties or taxes paid on imports or exports
3 : support given to a business by its customers Buyers grew tired of waiting … and … took their custom elsewhere. — Linda Sue Park, A Single Shard
Definition of custom for Students
1 : made or done to personal order custom furniture
2 : specializing in work done to personal order a custom printer
Headscratcher for custom
Custom means the usual way of doing things, but custom can also mean that something has been made according to a special order.
Law Dictionary
custom
Legal Definition of custom
1 : a practice common to many or to a particular place or institution; especially : a long-established practice that is generally recognized as having the force of law — see also section 1983 — compare usage
2 pl a : duties, tolls, or imposts imposed by the law of a country on imports or exports b usually sing in constr : the agency, establishment, or procedure for collecting such customs
Learn More about custom
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See words that rhyme with custom Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for custom Spanish Central: Translation of custom Nglish: Translation of custom for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of custom for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about custom
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