customs

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /ˈkʌstəmz/
• SAMPA: /"kVst@mz/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

Singular custom

Plural customs

1. The plural form of custom; more than one (kind of) custom.

   The Ancient Egyptian culture had many unique and interesting beliefs and customs.

2. (plural only) The taxes on things brought into or taken out of a country.

   We had to pay customs of £200 on all the wine we brought back from France.

3. (plural only) The government department that collects the taxes on things brought into a country.

   We got pulled over by customs on our way back from France – we only had 200 bottles of wine – it was so unfair.