homage

noun

hom·​age ˈä-mij  ˈhä- 

sense 2b is often

ō-ˈmäzh 

1

a

: a feudal ceremony by which a person acknowledges vassalage to a lord

b

: the relationship between a feudal lord and his vassal

c

: an act done or payment made in meeting the obligations due from a vassal to a feudal lord

2

a

: expression of high regard : respect

bowed in homage to the king

—often used with pay

Her work pays homage to women artists of the past.

b

: something that shows respect or attests to the worth or influence of another : tribute

His long life filled with international homages to his unique musical talent …

—People

Did you know?

In medieval times, a person could officially become a vassal of a king or lord by publicly announcing allegiance to him in a formal ceremony. In that ritual, known as homage (from the Latin root homo-, meaning “man”), the subject (who was usually but not always a man) knelt and placed his hands between those of his lord, symbolically surrendering himself and putting himself at the lord’s disposal and under his jurisdiction. A bond was thus forged between the two; the vassal’s part was to revere and serve his lord, and the lord’s role was to protect and provide for the vassal and his family. The symbolism attached to the word proved irresistible, and homage quickly broadened to apply with the meaning “respect or honor” in a variety of contexts. Today, a singer can pay homage to someone who influenced their career, and a recipe can be an homage to a chef’s hometown.

Synonyms of homage

• tribute

Choose the Right Synonym for homage

honor, homage, reverence, deference mean respect and esteem shown to another.

honor may apply to the recognition of one's right to great respect or to any expression of such recognition.

the nomination is an honor

homage adds the implication of accompanying praise.

paying homage to Shakespeare

reverence implies profound respect mingled with love, devotion, or awe.

great reverence for my father

deference implies a yielding or submitting to another's judgment or preference out of respect or reverence.

showed no deference to their elders

Examples of homage in a Sentence

The book is a deeply personal homage to her favorite city.

the poem is a moving homage to all who have served in our nation's armed services

Recent Examples on the Web

OpenAI’s lookbook for their capsule collection is an apparent homage to tastemaking brands like Kith and Aimé Leon Dore, two labels that turned laidback knitwear and box cut T-shirts into trends that saturated menswear in the last few years. — T.m. Brown, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026

In that light, the timing felt less like coincidence than homage. — Sarah Grant, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026

The event is looser on costume restrictions than during a normal day in the park, resulting in adults geared up in creative homages to characters and attractions. — Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026

Renaming the alleyway that runs behind the main stand as The Yellow Brick Road, in a further homage to their former chairman, is another touch that sets Watford’s home apart. — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French homage, omage, from home man, vassal, from Latin homin-, homo human being; akin to Old English guma human being, Latin humus earth — more at humble

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing homage

• in homage to
• pay homage to
• pay tribute/homage to

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Kids Definition

homage

noun

hom·​age ˈ(h)äm-ij 

1

: a ceremony in which a person pledged allegiance to a lord and became his vassal

2

: something done or given in fulfilling a vassal's duty to a lord

3

: respect entry 1 sense 2a, honor

paid homage to her