What does "customs" mean?
The duties or taxes imposed on imported or exported goods.
Customs
/ˈkʌs.təmz/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The duties or taxes imposed on imported or exported goods.
- Grammar: customs is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: ad valorem duty, alcohol tax, amusement tax, assessment on default.
- Useful contrasts: free trade, innovations, novelties.
- Usage evidence: A customs declaration is required.
How to use "customs"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "customs" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "customs" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "customs" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "customs" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "customs" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "ad valorem duty" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "customs", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The duties or taxes imposed on imported or exported goods. countable, in-plural, uncountable
"Customs of £200 were due on all the wine we took back from France."
- 2 plural of custom form-of, plural
- 3 money collected under a tariff wordnet
- 4 The government department or agency that is authorised to collect the taxes imposed on imported goods. singular, uncountable
"Customs stopped us in the airport for an inspection."
- 5 The process of going through customs checks at a border checkpoint. countable, uncountable
"They usually don't care about customs, but she was clearly planning on selling most of it."
Show 1 more definition
- 6 The location at a border checkpoint where customs checks are carried out. countable, uncountable
""You said someone from Cubetown was gonna meet us here at the airport?" "Yeah. We go through customs, then they'll meet us outside baggage claim.""
Verb
- 1 third-person singular simple present indicative of custom form-of, indicative, present, singular, third-person
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"A customs declaration is required."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "customs"?
Common synonyms include: ad valorem duty, alcohol tax, amusement tax, assessment on default, assessor, barbarian customs.
How do you use "customs" in a sentence?
A customs declaration is required.
How do you pronounce "customs"?
Pronounced /ˈkʌs.təmz/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
Plural of custom. Perhaps influenced by or taken as a corruption of customhouse, from Middle English custome hous.
Etymology 2
See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.