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

Other produce like tomatoes have also had massive price increases because of a frigid winter combined with tariffs and diesel costs. — Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 7 July 2026

Political tensions and heightened tariffs could have tanked trade between the European Union and the United States last year, but a new study reveals that the bilateral exchange of goods and services actually reached a record high in 2025. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 6 July 2026

Verb

On the plus side, the White House refrained from tariffing laptops, smartphones, and chips. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 27 May 2026

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

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