tribal

[ trahy-buh l ]

/ ˈtraɪ bəl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR tribal ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of a tribe: tribal customs.

Nearby words

triazole, triazolopyridine antidepressant, trib., tribade, tribadism, tribal, tribalism, tribasic, tribasic sodium phosphate, tribe, tribelet

Origin of tribal

First recorded in 1625–35; tribe + -al¹

Related forms

trib·al·ly, adverbnon·trib·al, adjectivenon·trib·al·ly, adverbpre·trib·al, adjective

pseu·do·trib·al, adjectivepseu·do·trib·al·ly, adverbqua·si-trib·al, adjectivequa·si-trib·al·ly, adverbsub·trib·al, adjectiveun·trib·al, adjectiveun·trib·al·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for tribal

“He was a brave field commander and an expert in intelligence, and in organizing popular and tribal forces,” said the eulogist.
What an Iranian Funeral Tells Us About the Wars in Iraq|IranWire|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In tribal areas, such legitimacy cannot be gained while Assad in power.
Where Does Obama Stand on Assad?|Hassan Hassan|November 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Killer also noted that there are some tribal elections on the same day.
South Dakota's Bizarre Four-Way (Senate Election, That Is)|Ben Jacobs|October 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The drones bombing the tribal area, angering many, are run by the Company.
Why So Many Pakistanis Hate Their Nobel Peace Prize Winner|Chris Allbritton|October 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST

A lot of my family has been in tribal leadership, in tribal government, and they did what they were supposed to do.
Native American Basketball Team in Wyoming Have Hoop Dreams Of Their Own|Robert Silverman|August 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He wrought a state out of tribal kinship and fostered an independence and self-reliance which no oppression could destroy.
Optimism|Helen Keller
In a tribal war the less honest, the more crafty, tribe generally remains in possession of the battlefield.
The Confession of a Fool|August Strindberg
In those days it had three hundred rounds of ammunition, which were utilised in tribal fights.
The Siege of Mafeking (1900)|J. Angus Hamilton.
They felt unwilling to risk the dangers of tribal dissension after the death of Samuel, and therefore they sought for a king.
Studies in Old Testament History|Jesse L. Hurlbut
The Master said, Be faithful and true of word, plain and lowly in thy walk; thou wilt get on even in tribal lands.
The Sayings Of Confucius|Confucius

British Dictionary definitions for tribal

tribal

/ (ˈtraɪbəl) /

adjective

of or denoting a tribe or tribestribal chiefs in northern Yemen

displaying loyalty to a tribe, group, or tribal valuesthe tribal loyalties of Labour MPs

Derived Forms

tribally, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012