customs
UK[ˈkʌstəmz]US[ˈkʌstəmz]
n
the place at a port, airport, or border where officials check the goods, luggage, or other items that people are bringing into a country
n
the taxes that must be paid to the government when goods are brought into a country from abroad
Morpheme Breakdown
custom
s
custom
habit, duty
s
plural suffix
Etymology
the word 'customs' originates from the latin noun 'consuetudo', meaning 'habit, usage, or established practice'. this evolved into the old french 'coustume', which entered middle english as 'custume'. in medieval times, a 'custom' referred to a habitual toll, tax, or duty paid to a ruler, especially on imported or exported goods—a practice that had become the established usage. the plural form 'customs' became the standard term for the government agency administering these duties and the taxes themselves, reflecting the collective and routine nature of these fiscal practices.
Analysis
Structure: custom (habit, duty) + s (plural suffix)
custom (from latin 'consuetudo', meaning 'habit, usage, practice, right') + s (old english plural suffix)
Examples
we had to declare our purchases at customs.
the company faces high customs duties on imported materials.
his luggage was thoroughly inspected by customs officials.