1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a tribe: as
a
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a community of people having shared ancestry, culture, and language
tribal members/leaders
a tribal council
protecting tribal lands
… the strained relations between Maine state government and tribal nations …—
Kevin Miller
Kevin MillerThese are sacred tribal markings, and are assigned through chiefly lineage and placement in a tribe, village or community.—Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson
Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson
b
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a group of people having a common character, occupation, or interest
"Is this your first Comic-Con?," I was repeatedly asked upon arriving in San Diego for this year's tribal gathering.—James Wolcott
James Wolcott2
: characterized by tribalism : having or showing strong in-group loyalty and often a negative view of outsiders
We are inherently tribal creatures anyway; but particularly when we're scared, we regress further into tribalism and tend to trust the information relayed to us by our tribe and not by others.—Arash Javanbakht
Arash Javanbakht
: 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
Katie Langford, Denver Post, 27 Nov. 2025
Next up, Paasch says, is advocating for Minnesota’s recognition and protection of the Ho-Chunk Nation’s tribal rights.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 27 Nov. 2025
M. Rajshekhar, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
The emotional heartbeat of the gang, Cancer is the one hugging people after blindsides and crying at the final tribal.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tribal
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Adjective
Colorado’s gray wolves stuck a little closer to central parts of the state in late October and November, roaming into watersheds that reach metro Denver and near tribal lands to the south, according to a map released Wednesday.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 27 Nov. 2025
Next up, Paasch says, is advocating for Minnesota’s recognition and protection of the Ho-Chunk Nation’s tribal rights.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 27 Nov. 2025
Noun
Arguing that relocation can stem the loss of biodiversity, the government has classified some islands used by Nicobarese tribals as wildlife sanctuaries.
—M. Rajshekhar, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
The emotional heartbeat of the gang, Cancer is the one hugging people after blindsides and crying at the final tribal.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tribal
Cite this Entry
“Tribal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tribal. Accessed 2 Dec. 2025.
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