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

He later spoke outside a church service that paid tribute to victims, where he pledged to "defend the freedom and openness of our lives".

From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026

Through it all, he paid tribute in his quiet way to his parents.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 26, 2026

The tribute began with comments from Roddenberry's son Rod, who heads the production and distribution company Roddenberry Entertainment.

From Barron's ● Jul. 26, 2026

But it will also include a tribute to a Secret Service agent who helped stop the alleged gunman in April despite being struck in his protective vest, and to the staff of the Hilton.

From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026

Haymitch leaves the compartment without a word, and Effie, after making a few unconnected comments about this tribute or that, bids us good night.

From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins

The families of all four men released their tributes together through police.

From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026

Ferguson joined the floods of tributes being paid to former England captain and manager Keegan, who enjoyed a stellar playing career which involved spells at Scunthorpe United, Liverpool, Hamburg, Southampton and Newcastle.

From BBC ● Jul. 21, 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

A decade and a half later, in an All-Star Game that was short on drama and long on tributes to Trout, the hometown hero and future Hall of Famer, Crow-Armstrong shared center field with Trout.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026

“Not just against the other tributes, but the Capitol, too,” I say.

From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins

Related Words

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