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customs

Syllabification: (cus·toms)

Definition of customs

the official department that administers and collects the duties levied by a government on imported goods:cocaine seizures by customs have risen this year [as modifier]:a customs officer
the place at a port, airport, or frontier where officials check incoming goods, travelers, or luggage:arriving refugees were whisked through customs
(usually customs duties) the duties levied by a government on imported goods.

Origin:

late Middle English: originally in the singular, denoting a customary due paid to a ruler, later duty levied on goods on their way to market

Definition of customs in the British & World English dictionary

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