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
Trump has already threatened to impose 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada on his first day in office, as well as lift existing tariffs on China. Matt Egan, CNN, 9 Dec. 2024 The news could also be a response to mounting trade tensions as President-elect Donald Trump readies for office in January, promising to slap hefty tariffs on foreign goods. Samantha Subin, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
Powell said there are still too many unknowns for the Fed to be seriously thinking about any fallout from stiff tariffs, such as which specific goods will be tariffed and the duration of any new trade policies. Bryan Mena, CNN, 4 Dec. 2024 Tags 2024 presidential election China Claudia Sheinbaum Donald Trump Justin Trudeau Mar-a-Lago Mexico tariffs Trump administration Trump election victory Trump tariff agenda Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. Steff Danielle Thomas, The Hill, 30 Nov. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near tariff

Cite this Entry

“Tariff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tariff. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!