customs

Definition of Customs in English :

money collected under a tariff

WordNet Lexical Database for English. Princeton University. 2010.

Customs

noun (functioning as singular or plural)

1.

duty on imports or exports

2.

the government department responsible for the collection of these duties

3.

the part of a port, airport, frontier station, etc, where baggage and freight are examined for dutiable goods and contraband

4.

the procedure for examining baggage and freight, paying duty, etc

5.

(as modifier)

customs officer

n.

1.

a. A traditional practice or usual way of doing something followed by a social group or people.

b. The tradition or body of such practices: The respect that is by custom accorded to the king.

2.

a. A habitual practice of a person: my custom of reading a little before sleep. See Synonyms at habit.

b. Habitual manner or practice: I am not by custom a coffee drinker.

3. Law A common tradition or usage so long established that it has the force or validity of law.

4. Habitual patronage, as of a store: tried to obtain the custom of the wealthiest shoppers.

5. customs

a. Duties or taxes imposed on imported and, less commonly, exported goods.

b. (used with a sing. verb) The governmental agency authorized to collect these duties.

c. (used with a sing. verb) The place where goods and baggage entering a country are inspected by this agency: go through customs.

6. Tribute, service, or rent paid by a feudal tenant to a lord.

adj.

1. Made to order: custom suits.

2. Specializing in the making or selling of made-to-order goods: a custom tailor.