custom

[kuhs-tuhm]

noun

1. a habitual practice; the usual way of acting in given circumstances.

2. habits or usages collectively; convention.

3. a practice so long established that it has the force of law.

4. such practices collectively.

5. Sociology.,  a group pattern of habitual activity usually transmitted from one generation to another.

6. toll; duty.

7. customs,

   1. (used with a singular or plural verb),  duties imposed by law on imported or, less commonly, exported goods.

   2. (used with a singular verb),  the government department that collects these duties.

   3. (used with a singular verb),  the section of an airport, station, etc., where baggage is checked for contraband and for goods subject to duty.

8. regular patronage of a particular shop, restaurant, etc.

9. the customers or patrons of a business firm, collectively.

10. the aggregate of customers.

11. (in medieval Europe) a customary tax, tribute, or service owed by peasants to their lord.

adjective

1. made specially for individual customers.

   custom shoes.

2. dealing in things so made, or doing work to order.

   a custom tailor.

custom

/ ˈkʌstəm /

noun

1. a usual or habitual practice; typical mode of behaviour

2. the long-established habits or traditions of a society collectively; convention

   custom dictates good manners

3. 1. a practice which by long-established usage has come to have the force of law

   2. such practices collectively (esp in the phrase custom and practice )

4. habitual patronage, esp of a shop or business

5. the customers of a shop or business collectively

6. (in feudal Europe) a tribute paid by a vassal to his lord

adjective

1. made to the specifications of an individual customer (often in the combinations custom-built , custom-made )

2. specializing in goods so made

Word History and Origins

Origin of custom¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English custume, from Anglo-French; Old French costume, from Vulgar Latin co(n)s(uē)tūmin- (unrecorded), replacing Latin consuētūdin-, stem of consuētūdō “habit, practice, tradition,” from consuē(tus) “accustomed” (past participle of consuēscere “to accustom onself,” from con- con- + suēscere “to become accustomed,” akin to suus “one's own”) + -tūdō -tude; costume

Word History and Origins

Origin of custom¹

C12: from Old French costume, from Latin consuētūdō, from consuēscere to grow accustomed to, from suēscere to be used to

Synonym Study

Custom, habit, practice mean an established way of doing things. Custom, applied to a community or to an individual, implies a more or less permanent continuance of a social usage: It is the custom to give gifts at Christmas time. Habit, applied particularly to an individual, implies such repetition of the same action as to develop a natural, spontaneous, or rooted tendency or inclination to perform it: to make a habit of reading the newspapers. Practice applies to a set of fixed habits or an ordered procedure in conducting activities: It is his practice to verify all statements.

Example Sentences

Shades resembling minerals, stones and grasses compared to custom blended paints.

From Los Angeles Times

“So there’s fishing, horseback riding, and poker. Kate made a custom poker mat herself, so we’re going to kind of be leaning into it. Our second day is going to be line dancing and everything.”

From Los Angeles Times

"On top of that, captains will be having to deal with customs and excise and paperwork around the cargo and immigration."

From BBC

They accuse them of being tone deaf to Mexican customs, of failing to learn Spanish or, in many cases, even pay taxes.

From BBC

Shipments under the exemption made up more than 90% of all the cargo entering the country, according to US customs.

From BBC

Related Words

• method 
• policy 
• practice 
• rite 
• rule 
• style 
• system 

When To Use

What does custom mean?

As a noun, custom means a longstanding practice of a person (such as a daily habit) or a group (such as a cultural practice).As an adjective, custom describes something made to unique specifications, especially something one of a kind. Its synonym is custom-made.The word customs with an s refers to fees paid on imported goods, or the government department that handles such things. It is also the name of the checkpoint in the airport where incoming luggage and goods are inspected for prohibited items.Example: When I travel abroad, it’s my custom to bring home a custom-made souvenir that highlights the artistic customs of the people who live in that place. The items are usually very unique, which often leads to a lot of questions when I go through customs at the airport!