tribe

\ ˈtrīb

Definition of tribe

1a : a social group comprising numerous families, clans, or generations together with slaves, dependents, or adopted strangers

b : a political division of the Roman people originally representing one of the three original tribes of ancient Rome

c : 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

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about tribe

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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 on the Web The Tohono O’odham tribe in Arizona also has expressed opposition to more border fencing on its land, which stretches for nearly 75 miles along the border with Mexico. — BostonGlobe.com, "The Yuma sector is the third busiest along the southern border, with officials building a temporary, 500-person tent facility in the parking lot of the Border Patrol’s Yuma headquarters in June.," 16 Sep. 2019 The Tohono O’odham tribe in Arizona also has expressed opposition to more border fencing on its land, which stretches for nearly 75 miles (120 kilometers) along the border with Mexico. — Washington Post, "450 miles of border wall by next year? In Arizona, it starts," 15 Sep. 2019 Police in the state are hired by local communities, the state or the tribes. — Kyle Hopkins, Anchorage Daily News, "Justice Department will fund more prosecutors, cops in rural Alaska," 14 Sep. 2019 The Tohono O’odham tribe in Arizona also has expressed opposition to more border fencing on its land, which stretches for nearly 75 miles (120 kilometers) along the border with Mexico. — Astrid Galvan, The Denver Post, "450 miles of border wall by next year? In Arizona, it starts," 14 Sep. 2019 Police in the state are hired by local communities, the state or the tribes. — Kyle Hopkins, ProPublica, "Justice Department Will Fund More Prosecutors, Jails and Cops in Rural Alaska," 13 Sep. 2019 East Kalimantan serves as a gateway to Borneo’s mythical jungles, the backdrop to Joseph Conrad novels and home to the native Dayak tribes once feared for headhunting. — David Pierson, Los Angeles Times, "Endangered orangutans could be the biggest losers as Indonesia builds a new capital," 13 Sep. 2019 The Bismarck Tribune reports the tribes attended a ceremonial signing Friday at the state Capitol. — USA TODAY, "Animation behind bars, Elliott the elk, SkyStar: News from around our 50 states," 10 Sep. 2019 So the tribe will fight as one—as a family—to protect the children, and their own future. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "Apple releases first trailer for new sci-fi series See, starring Jason Momoa," 10 Sep. 2019

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.