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

Madonna has paid tribute to her longtime friend and acclaimed music producer William Orbit, who died last month at the age of 69.

From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026

And thousands of fans queued to pay tribute to the musician, during his public wake on Monday.

From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026

I could easily hail “Howl’s Moving Castle” as a tribute to maturity, especially when placed against other Miyazaki stories starring young heroines setting out on adventures.

From Salon ● Aug. 4, 2026

So the title is a tribute and a genuine affirmation.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 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

"The thoughts and prayers are with Lofty's loved ones at this sad time. Details on further club tributes will follow," Wolves said.

From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026

Their summer slate includes a “Mega 80s” night and two ’80s vs. ’90s parties on top of tributes to Duran Duran, Tool and Talking Heads.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026

Members of Trump's cabinet, South Carolina lawmakers and other guests also assembled for the ceremony, and to listen to tributes to Graham's military service and more than three decades in Congress after humble beginnings.

From Barron's ● Jul. 28, 2026

Actor Jackée Harry, who portrayed the Jenkins’ young neighbor Sandra Clark in “227,” was also among those who shared tributes to Williams on social media.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 16, 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