What does "tariff" mean?
A system of government-imposed duties levied on imported or exported goods; a list of such duties, or the duties themselves.
Tariff
/ˈtæɹɪf/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A system of government-imposed duties levied on imported or exported goods; a list of such duties, or the duties themselves.
- Grammar: tariff is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: duty, ad valorem duty, adjust rates, admission.
- Useful contrasts: abolish tariff, abolish tariffs, discount.
- Usage evidence: The same man who tells you that he does not want to see the government interfere in business—and he means it, and has plenty of good reasons for saying so—is the first to go to Washington and ask the government for a prohibitory tariff on his product.
How to use "tariff"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "tariff" 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 "tariff" 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 "tariff" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "tariff" 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 "tariff" 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 "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 "tariff", 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 A system of government-imposed duties levied on imported or exported goods; a list of such duties, or the duties themselves.
"For the sake of this support, the party advocated for agricultural tariffs, for antimargarine laws, and for restrictions on meat importation."
- 2 a government tax on imports or exports wordnet
- 3 A schedule of rates, fees or prices.
"Under a peak/off-peak electricity tariff, you pay a lower rate for the power when demand is less."
- 4 A sentence determined according to a scale of standard penalties for certain categories of crime. British
Verb
- 1 To levy a duty on (something). transitive
"From the perspective of foreign producers, it is more difficult to export tariffed goods to the US because US importers have to pay the tariff."
- 2 charge a tariff wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"The same man who tells you that he does not want to see the government interfere in business—and he means it, and has plenty of good reasons for saying so—is the first to go to Washington and ask the government for a prohibitory tariff on his product."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "tariff"?
Common synonyms include: duty, ad valorem duty, adjust rates, admission, alcohol tax, amusement tax.
How do you use "tariff" in a sentence?
The same man who tells you that he does not want to see the government interfere in business—and he means it, and has plenty of good reasons for saying so—is the first to go to Washington and ask the government for a prohibitory tariff on his product.
How do you pronounce "tariff"?
Pronounced /ˈtæɹɪf/.
Etymology
From Italian tariffa (“arithmetical table; list of customs duties”), from Arabic تَعْرِيف (taʕrīf, “notification, explanation”).