# tariff

/ˈtɛɹəf/ (US) · /tˈæɹɪf/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tariff
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. import/export tax

noun · CEFR B2

a tax that a government charges on goods that are brought into or sent out of a country.

For teachers: a schedule of duties or taxes imposed by a government on imported or exported goods.

- The government decided to lower the tariff on imported cars to make them cheaper for buyers.
- Economists warned that imposing a steep tariff on steel imports would likely trigger a retaliatory trade war with major partners.

### 2. price list

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a list of prices or fees for a service, like electricity or a hotel room.

For teachers: a schedule of rates, fees, or prices for a specific service or utility.

- You should check the hotel's tariff before booking to see the cost of extra services.
- The energy provider introduced a new green tariff that offers lower rates for customers who use electricity during off-peak hours.

### 3. prison sentence

noun · CEFR C2 · British English · Technical

the minimum amount of time a person must stay in prison for a serious crime.

For teachers: the minimum period of imprisonment that a person must serve before becoming eligible for parole.

- The judge set a twenty-year tariff for the crime, meaning the prisoner cannot leave before then.
- The Home Secretary's power to increase a judicial tariff was successfully challenged in the high court on human rights grounds.

Usage: Commonly used in the context of life sentences to specify the punitive element of the term.

### 4. to apply a tax

verb · CEFR C1 · Academic

to put a tax on goods that are traded with other countries.

For teachers: to impose a duty or tax on specific goods or services, typically in an international trade context.

- The country decided to tariff all foreign electronics to protect its own factories.
- By choosing to tariff agricultural imports, the administration aimed to bolster domestic farming despite the risk of rising consumer prices.

Usage: This verb is transitive and requires a direct object.

## Examples

- The government recently placed a new tariff on imported steel.
- Economists warned that the high tariff on electronics would lead to higher prices for local consumers.
- While the proposed tariff aimed to protect domestic manufacturing, critics argued it would trigger a trade war and disrupt global supply chains already under significant strain.

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