I. ˈtarə̇f also ˈter- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Italian tariffa, from Arabic ta'rīfa, ta'rif, from 'arifa to inform, make known
1. also ta·rif·fa təˈrifə, -rēfə archaic : an arithmetic or multiplication table
2. : a schedule, system, or scheme of duties imposed by a government on imported or exported goods for the production of revenue, for the artificial fostering of home industries, or as a means of coercing foreign governments to grant reciprocity privileges — compare protection , free trade
3. : a listing or scale of rates or charges for a business or a public utility: as
a. : a published schedule of rates, ratings, or charges with associated rules, regulations, routes, and information issued by carriers or their agents and filed with a public regulatory agency
b. : a schedule of rates or charges of a hotel, motel, or lodging house
rooms and meals at tariffs well below comparable accommodations elsewhere — Lucius Beebe
c. : a schedule of postal rates or charges
the flat rate principles on which the postal tariff is based — A.J.Bruwer
4. : the duty or rate of duty imposed in a tariff
the tariff on wool
a tariff of two cents a pound
5. : a charge or fee set as the cost of goods or service : price
creating a market in shells … and modifying the tariff according to the supply — Arnold Bennett
excellent workmanship at not too high a tariff — Fashion Digest
the stiff tariff of 15 bucks that the fraternity was charging — Martin Dibner
keep the tickets on a par with the tariff in the unofficial stands — Horace Sutton
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to levy a tariff or set a price on (goods or service)