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tribute

American  
[trib-yoot] / ˈtrɪb yut /

noun

  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.

tribute British  
/ ˈtrɪbjuːt /

noun

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

    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

"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

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

France on Thursday bid farewell to former prime minister Lionel Jospin, with President Emmanuel Macron leading a national tribute to the influential left‑wing statesman credited with major welfare reforms.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

Williams returned the praise, and also paid tribute to Mobos founder Kanya King, referencing her battle against cancer and how she has never stopped working.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

Lord Nash described the government's consultation as "a shocker" and he became emotional as he paid tribute to bereaved parents who campaigned for a change in the law following the deaths of their children.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

The Varsity Spirit post included a tribute video that featured an audio clip of Webb discussing the instant he realized just how much of an impact his efforts had on the sport.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

"Anything he sees, he will take for a tribute," another cried.

From "When the Sea Turned to Silver" by Grace Lin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.