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

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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

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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

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey paid tribute to Rockefeller's decades of service, saying he had left "a lasting mark on the lives of generations of West Virginians."

From Barron's ● Nov. 6, 2026

Channel 4, The Times and Sunday Times and the BBC all paid tribute to the women involved in the case, highlighting their "courage".

From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026

The Paley Honors Award recognizes landmark contributions to and enduring impact on the media industry, and its gala will feature a special tribute celebrating each honoree’s distinguished career and creative legacy.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 4, 2026

Paying tribute, the British Beauty Council sent "love and condolences", while TV presenter and fellow beauty entrepreneur Trinny Woodall commented: "Sending so much love to you all."

From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026

Perhaps it is a tribute to the origin of the word “circus,” deriving from the Greek kirkos meaning circle, or ring.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

They returned to the stadium on Wednesday to lay a Port Vale shirt among the tributes, wanting to show their support for the Tenerife community.

From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026

Rather than making the tributes a prominent part of the ceremony, the couple chose quieter gestures that carried personal meaning.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 4, 2026

Australia's prime minister and fellow parliamentarians led sombre tributes Monday to "beacon of decency" and colleague Helen Haines, who remains in hospital after being struck by a car outside her office a week ago.

From Barron's ● Oct. 25, 2026

Stars dressed by Mackie posted tributes to the designer after his death.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2026

Then the gong will sound and the tributes will be free to move off their metal plates.

From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins

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Related Words

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

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