custom
n. C / Un. a traditional way of behaving or doing something that is specific to a particular group of people or place. It is like a social rule that people follow because they have done it for a long time.
n. a traditional and widely accepted way of behaving or doing something that is specific to a particular society, place, or time. In legal contexts, it refers to a practice that has been followed for so long that it has acquired the force of law.
It is a local custom to remove your shoes before entering a home.
The festival preserves an ancient custom where villagers decorate the main square with seasonal flowers to celebrate the harvest.
While modern legislation has superseded many traditional practices, certain land rights are still determined by local custom, provided the practice has been continuous and undisputed since time immemorial.
PIE word *ḱóm PIE word *swé From Middle English custume, borrowed from Anglo-Norman custume, inherited from Latin consuētūdinem, a noun derived from cōnsuēscō, from con- (“with”) + suēscō (“become used or accustomed to”). Doublet of costume, consuetude, and kastom. The adjectival form first appears c. 1830.
Countable when referring to specific traditions; uncountable when referring to the general practice of following traditions. Not to be confused with the plural 'customs', which specifically refers to border taxes and inspections.
It is a common custom for us.It is a common practice for us.Learners often use 'custom' for personal habits; 'custom' should only describe the shared traditions of a whole culture or community.