tribal

American  

[trahy-buhl] / ˈtraɪ bəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a tribe.

   tribal customs in Indonesia.

2. designating, characterized by, or relating to a strong sense of loyalty to one’s own tribe, party, or group.

   Tribal politics can be divisive and counterproductive.

---

ˈtribal British  

/ ˈtraɪbəl /

adjective

1. of or denoting a tribe or tribes

   tribal chiefs in northern Yemen

2. displaying loyalty to a tribe, group, or tribal values

   the tribal loyalties of Labour MPs

---

Other Word Forms

• nontribal adjective
• quasi-tribal adjective
• subtribal adjective
• tribally adverb

Etymology

Origin of tribal

First recorded in 1625–35; tribe + -al ¹

Example Sentences

The regulations mark a turning point in a decades-long fight between tribal casinos and the card room industry.

From Los Angeles Times

In fact, her immigration order declared “collaborative partnerships among local, state, federal, and tribal law enforcement . . . are essential for safe communities.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Indeed, it is difficult to think of any place outside the tribal areas of Afghanistan or Waziristan where the firearm is such a cultural totem.

From Salon

He adds that people working in farms, including those from poor tribal communities, remain most vulnerable.

From BBC

Multiple states have gone to court to argue prediction markets are nothing more than unlicensed gambling sites that operate in violation of state law and tribal compacts.

From Los Angeles Times