rhizoverbBeta
DictionarycustomUsual practice
noun

custom

KUHS-tuhm/ˈkʌstəm/

A traditional or habitual way of behaving.

This family follows the custom of removing shoes before entering the home.

A Japanese family removes outdoor shoes neatly at the home entry before stepping onto the raised clean floor, visible customary household practice, accurate genkan layout.
Etymology
customLatinhabit, usage, tradition

Latin consuetudo covered both personal habit and established usage. English custom likewise applies the idea of habitual practice to the shared traditions of a community.

In context

Unreal Medieval4:54
When her husband died, she continued her business, inheriting his trade contacts and assets according to local custom, which allowed for a greater degree of female economic agency.
Top 5 Bogus Claims About Medieval Women and Inheritance

More examples

  • It is her custom to read before bed.
  • Local customs shape how guests greet their hosts.
  • We keep the family custom of baking bread on Sundays.

Forms

custom · customs

customary adjective — Usual or traditional in a particular setting.

Similar words

tradition
Emphasizes practices or beliefs passed down through generations.
habit
Usually describes an individual's repeated behavior rather than shared traditions.
practice
Describes a usual way of doing something, traditional or not.