tribe

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noun \ˈtrīb\

Definition of tribe

1a : a social group comprising numerous families, clans, or generations together with slaves, dependents, or adopted strangersb : a political division of the Roman people originally representing one of the three original tribes of ancient Romec : phyle
2 : a group of persons having a common character, occupation, or interest
3 : a category of taxonomic classification ranking below a subfamily; also : a natural group irrespective of taxonomic rank the cat tribe the rose tribe

See tribe defined for English-language learners

See tribe defined for kids

Examples of tribe in a Sentence

a tribe of artists with wild hair and casual manners
the wedding joined the two tribes together

Recent Examples of tribe from the Web

Today, soldiers are often asked to not only take and hold terrain, but also to bring together tribes and factions who share difficult ethnic and religious histories.

— patrick granfield, The Atlantic, "Why Trump Should Embrace America's Immigrant Soldiers", 4 July 2017
The occasion enabled a sportswriter to spend 24 hours playing anthropologist, examining an exotic tribe: the retired pro athlete who has moved—sometimes gracefully, sometimes uneasily—into middle age.

— jon wertheim, SI.com, "The after-party: Inside the life of the modern professional athlete in retirement", 3 July 2017
The tribe owns and operates three bingo casinos in the state, and no gaming activity is planned at the Foley site.

— john sharp, AL.com, "OWA announcement means Alabama's newest amusement park rollin' next month", 30 June 2017
The tribe’s leaders have been working with federal and state officials to try to line up a new owner of the facility that could operate the plant beyond 2019, Touchin said.

— mark chediak, Bloomberg.com, "Biggest Coal Plant in U.S. West Gets Another 2 Years to Live", 27 June 2017
Tribe manager Terry Francona indicated that the team would monitor Kluber's pitch count.

— zack meisel, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Indians use chaos, Corey Kluber to crush Oakland Athletics, 8-0", 1 June 2017
Four Sioux tribes in the Dakotas are still fighting in federal court in Washington, D.C., hoping to persuade a judge to shut down the line.

— blake nicholson, chicagotribune.com, "$3.8 billion Dakota Access oil pipeline begins service", 1 June 2017
Across South Sudan, accounts of government soldiers killing civilians based on their tribe are driving the country deeper into despair.

— associated press, Washington Post, "South Sudan ethnic violence hits new high as civilians flee", 31 May 2017
The Quinault tribe disputed at least part of that account.

— lewis kamb, The Seattle Times, "Young father run down, killed in Grays Harbor County campground confrontation", 30 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tribe'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of tribe

Middle English, from Latin tribus, a division of the Roman people, tribe

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First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

Other Anthropology Terms

ectomorph, ethnography, prehistory, yurt

TRIBE Defined for English Language Learners

tribe

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noun

Definition of tribe for English Language Learners

: a group of people that includes many families and relatives who have the same language, customs, and beliefs
: a large family
: a group of people who have the same job or interest

TRIBE Defined for Kids

tribe

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noun \ˈtrīb\

Definition of tribe for Students

1 : a group of people including many families, clans, or generations an American Indian tribe
2 : a group of people who are of the same kind or have the same occupation or interest