customs

Etymology 1

Plural of custom. Perhaps influenced by or taken as a corruption of customhouse, from Middle English custome hous.

noun

1. (in the plural) The duties or taxes imposed on imported or exported goods.
   Customs of £200 were due on all the wine we took back from France.
2. (in the singular or uncountable) The government department or agency that is authorised to collect the taxes imposed on imported goods.
   Customs stopped us in the airport for an inspection.
3. The process of going through customs checks at a border checkpoint.
   They usually don't care about customs, but she was clearly planning on selling most of it.
4. The location at a border checkpoint where customs checks are carried out.
   "You said someone from Cubetown was gonna meet us here at the airport?" "Yeah. We go through customs, then they'll meet us outside baggage claim." 2022, Jeph Jacques, Questionable Content (webcomic), 4922: Welcome To Canada

Etymology 2

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

noun

1. plural of custom

verb

1. third-person singular simple present indicative of custom