tribal

1 of 2

adjective

trib·​al ˈtrī-bəl How to pronounce tribal (audio)
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a tribe
tribal customs
tribally adverb

tribal

2 of 2

noun

: a member of an aboriginal people of India
usually used in plural

Examples of tribal in a Sentence

Adjective a tribal solidarity that transcends all other loyalties or bonds
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Community groups — including nonprofit, educational, government and tribal organizations — are welcome to submit applications for future markers that tell the stories of underrepresented communities. Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2024 World Central Kitchen, which runs 65 community kitchens in Gaza, is in close communication with local tribal leaders and community volunteers, Andrés said. Abigail Hauslohner, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 In mid-December, the pair attended a check-writing ceremony with a western Oregon confederation of tribal nations. Grant Stringer, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Mar. 2024 The venue is called The Book, and is scheduled to open after 10 a.m. ribbon cuttings at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel in Murphy, tribal leaders said Wednesday. Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 8 Mar. 2024 The Fish and Wildlife Service designated approximately 1,227 stream miles as critical habitat across federal, state, tribal and private lands. Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 1 Mar. 2024 For example, if an agency is concerned about pollution in a certain area, tribal leaders might be able to provide insights about abnormally high rates of illness experienced within their community. James Broughel, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 In 1984, a tribal lawsuit to solidify water rights made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1984, but the justices ruled all parties needed to start over. Lauren J. Mapp, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2024 The tribal governing body recently passed bills expressing support for their roles in Martin Scorsese’s historical epic. Jaden Thompson, Variety, 4 Mar. 2024
Noun
The 74-page compact, negotiated between DeSantis and Marcellus W. Osceola Jr., chairman of the Seminole tribal, provides the tribe with exclusive rights to a wide array of casino and sports gambling in exchange for billions of dollars in payments to the state. Washington Post, 19 May 2021 The tribal began Monday in Austin, Texas — where Jones lives and broadcasts his show — following months of delays. Jim Vertuno, Hartford Courant, 27 July 2022 State, tribal and community leaders have worked together to ensure Westwater will be connected to an electrical grid next month. The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 Mar. 2022 The next day Deshawn, Erika, and Xander head to the final tribal. Joseph Longo, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2021 The figure accounts for all line-of-duty deaths through Dec. 31, 2021, and represents law enforcement officers at the federal, state, county and municipal levels, as well as those in the tribal, campus, military and territorial sectors. Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 14 Jan. 2022 Meanwhile, Erika’s superb performance at the final tribal mirrored her gameplay. Joseph Longo, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2021 My lowest moment in the game actually provided me the most healing outside of the game, and that was my breakdown at the final seven tribal. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 15 Dec. 2021 And who knows what’s going to happen once the Luvu tribe breaks up and heads to tribal. Joseph Longo, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tribal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1632, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1953, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tribal was in 1632

Dictionary Entries Near tribal

Cite this Entry

“Tribal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tribal. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

tribal

adjective
trib·​al
ˈtrī-bəl
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a tribe
tribally
-bə-lē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on tribal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!