tariff

1 of 2

noun

tar·​iff ˈter-əf How to pronounce tariff (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
And even though retaliatory tariffs have been lifted, some Canadian provinces have left their American alcohol bans in place. Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2025 Flying between Helsinki, Prague, Milan, and Geneva to meet with clients, Nathan Sheets, Citigroup’s top economist, has a bird’s-eye view of how tariffs are reshaping the global economy. Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
Related Stories Will they be tariffed? Gene Maddaus, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025 Initial volatility gave way to a recognition that tariffs rarely land as broadly as advertised. Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tariff

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of tariff was in 1592

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tariff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tariff. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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 How to pronounce tariff (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on tariff

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