- custom
- cus|tom1 W3 [ˈkʌstəm] n[Date: 1100-1200; : Old French; Origin: custume, from Latin consuetudo, from consuescere 'to make someone used to something']1.) [U and C]something that is done by people in a particular society because it is traditionallocal/ancient/French etc custom▪ The guide offers information on local customs.it is the custom (for sb) to do sth▪ It's the custom for the bride's father to pay for the wedding.the custom of doing sth▪ The custom of naming women after flowers is becoming less common.2.) [singular] formalsomething that you usually do every day, or in a particular situation▪ He awoke early, as was his custom.3.) customs [plural]a) the place where your bags are checked for illegal goods when you go into a country▪ She was stopped at customs and questioned.▪ It took ages to clear customs (=be allowed through customs) but then we were out of the airport quite quickly.▪ You won't be able to take that through customs .b) the government department that checks goods coming into a country and collects any taxes on them▪ customs officers▪ the US customs service4.) [U] formalthe practice of regularly using a particular shop or business▪ an advertisement to attract more custom▪ Smaller shops lose a lot of custom when supermarkets open nearby.custom 2custom2 adj [only before noun] especially AmEcustom products or services are specially designed and made for a particular person▪ His son operates a custom furniture business.
Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.