tribute

American  

[trib-yoot] / ˈtrɪb jut /

noun

• tributes
  plural

1. 

   a gift, testimonial, compliment, or the like, given as due or in acknowledgment of gratitude or esteem.

   Synonyms:

   eulogy, commendation, recognition

2. 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.

3. a rent, tax, or the like, as that paid by a subject to a sovereign.

4. any exacted or enforced payment or contribution.

   Synonyms:

   duty, impost, toll, levy

5. obligation or liability to make such payment.

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tribute British  

/ ˈtrɪbjuːt /

noun

1. a gift or statement made in acknowledgment, gratitude, or admiration

2. 1. a payment by one ruler or state to another, usually as an acknowledgment of submission

   2. any tax levied for such a payment

3. (in feudal society) homage or a payment rendered by a vassal to his lord

4. the obligation to pay tribute

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• tributes
  plural

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tribute tributes

She set up the library in 1995 in tribute to her father, who could not read or write.

From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026

It’s impossible, unfortunately, to pay proper tribute to all the actors, terrific as they are.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

Classic Motown posted a tribute to the singer on Thursday, writing that her harmonies served as the soundtrack to a generation.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026

Firefighters and police officers stood around the Michigan September 11 Memorial in Wentworth Park, where the tribute was built in a public space that has been used to mourn firefighters since 1934.

From Slate ● Sep. 17, 2026

After discovering that none of them matched the date, she restarted the tribute video of Coach Washington.

From "The Parker Inheritance" by Varian Johnson

There were tributes pre-match to captain Farrell, who announced he will retire at the end of the season, as Wigan's players warmed up with t-shirts emblazoned with Faz 12.

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026

The vice-president led tributes as he conveyed his condolences to Samia, as well as Ameir's family and friends.

From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2026

Yet beneath the emotional tributes and patriotic pageantry, a dangerous sporting test awaits.

From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026

Jackie died last month after a weeks-long battle with a mysterious illness, setting off a torrent of heart-wrenching tributes and messages from her devoted fans who hailed from around the globe.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2026

It still seems like a really long leap for some of the tributes.

From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins

Related Words

• accolade
• appreciation
• compliment
• eulogy
• gift
• gratitude
• honor
• memorial
• recognition
• respect