tribute
Americannoun
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tributes
plural
-
a gift, testimonial, compliment, or the like, given as due or in acknowledgment of gratitude or esteem.
- Synonyms:
- eulogy, commendation, recognition
-
a stated sum or other valuable consideration paid by one sovereign or state to another in acknowledgment of subjugation or as the price of peace, security, protection, or the like.
-
a rent, tax, or the like, as that paid by a subject to a sovereign.
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any exacted or enforced payment or contribution.
-
obligation or liability to make such payment.
noun
-
a gift or statement made in acknowledgment, gratitude, or admiration
-
-
a payment by one ruler or state to another, usually as an acknowledgment of submission
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any tax levied for such a payment
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(in feudal society) homage or a payment rendered by a vassal to his lord
-
the obligation to pay tribute
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of tribute
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English tribut, from Latin tribūtum “levied payment,” noun use of neuter past participle of tribuere “to assign, allot,” verb derivative of tribus tribe
Explanation
A tribute is a sign of respect or admiration, an award to honor a person's accomplishments. A famous director receives a lifetime achievement award as a tribute to his many successful films. We're most familiar with the use of the word tribute meaning to honor someone with words or an award. You can hear a tribute if you're lucky enough to attend an entertainment awards ceremony, or need to attend a funeral. Students will give a retiring teacher flowers as a tribute to her years of service in education. Tribute can also mean a kind of payment that's given from one nation to another.
Vocabulary lists containing tribute
"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 20–25
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Tears of a Tiger
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Africa - Introductory
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Aston Villa and Manchester United both said they were "deeply saddened" by Rimmer's death, while Arsenal also paid tribute.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
Most of the music world first saw Shane behind the drums during Foo Fighters’ performance of “My Hero” at the Taylor Hawkins tribute concert at Wembley Stadium on Sept. 3, 2022.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026
Lionel Messi said he is unsure how much longer he will continue playing football as he posted an emotional tribute after his father's death.
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026
Khan, who won re-election in the 2024 election, paid tribute to Binface for standing, joking the count had made him "work hard for it".
From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026
He looked a little like the male tribute from District Three in a Hunger Games parade.
From "Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics" by Chris Grabenstein
As tributes to Tarling flowed in on Saturday the investigation into a "collision between the cyclist and a light goods vehicle" had begun, according to the National Republican Guard in Portugal.
From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026
Readers share emotional tributes to the beloved Big Bear bald eagle.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
The order of service also included tributes paid by the Rev Roger Widdecombe, Widdecombe's nephew, and Sir Christian Sweeting, a close friend.
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026
On Monday, former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira posted several tributes to his close friend and Chute Boxe Diego Lima teammate on his Instagram Story.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026
It's technically against the rules to train tributes before they reach the Capitol but it happens every year.
From "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
