Frequent repetition of the same behavior; way of behavior common to many; ordinary manner; habitual practice; method of doing, living or behaving.
custom in U.S. law
• Habitual buying of goods from one same vendor.
• The habitual patrons (i.e. customers) of a business; business support.
• Long-established practice, considered as unwritten law, and resting for authority on long consent. Compare prescription.
• Traditional beliefs or rituals.
• A custom (made-to-order) piece of art, etc.
• Familiar acquaintance; familiarity.
• Toll, tax, or tribute.
(Adjective) Made or done in a way adjusted to fit the needs of a particular person or group (e.g., customer, health care patient, do-it-yourselfer), and thus specialized and, in some cases, unique.
• Own, personal, not standard or premade.
• Done on a for-hire basis, as contrasted with being done only for oneself.
• Accustomed; usual.
(Verb) To make familiar; to accustom.
• To supply with customers.
• To pay the customs of.
• To have a custom.
The practical impact of custom
custom appears in U.S. legal practice across multiple practice areas. Knowing what it means — and when it applies — can determine the outcome of motions, filings, and negotiations. For non-lawyers, the value of looking up a precise definition is that legal terms often carry meanings that differ from everyday usage; relying on the common meaning can lead to costly missteps.
custom — procedural details
In practice, custom is invoked when parties, judges, or attorneys need to identify the legal status of an issue, the rights of those involved, or the procedural step required next. The definition shown above is sourced from Wiktionary , which is widely cited in U.S. legal practice. Because U.S. law is jurisdictionally layered — federal, state, and sometimes local — the precise application of the term can vary by court, so check the controlling authority for your specific case.