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 traditional

local/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] formal

something 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

→↑immigration

▪ 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 service

4.) [U] formal

the 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 ²

custom² adj [only before noun] especially AmE

custom products or services are specially designed and made for a particular person

▪ His son operates a custom furniture business.