/ ˈkʌstəm; NAmE / noun , adjective
■ noun
—see also customs
1.
[ C , U ] custom (of doing sth) an accepted way of behaving or of doing things in a society or a community :
an old / ancient custom
the custom of giving presents at Christmas
It's a local custom .
It is the custom in that country for women to marry young.
2.
[ sing. ] ( formal or literary ) the way a person always behaves
SYN habit , practice :
It was her custom to rise early.
As was his custom, he knocked three times.
3.
[ U ] ( BrE , formal ) (also business NAmE , BrE ) the fact of a person or people buying goods or services at a shop / store or business :
Thank you for your custom. Please call again.
We've lost a lot of custom since prices went up.
■ adjective
[ only before noun ] ( especially NAmE ) = custom-built , custom-made :
a custom motorcycle
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French coustume , based on Latin consuetudo , from consuetus , past participle of consuescere accustom, from con- (expressing intensive force) + suescere become accustomed.