tribute

noun

trib·​ute ˈtri-(ˌ)byüt 

-byət

1

a

: something given or contributed voluntarily as due or deserved

especially : a gift or service showing respect, gratitude, or affection

a floral tribute

b

: something (such as material evidence or a formal attestation) that indicates the worth, virtue, or effectiveness of the one in question

the design is a tribute to his ingenuity

2

a

: a payment by one ruler or nation to another in acknowledgment of submission or as the price of protection

also : the tax levied for such a payment

b(1)

: an excessive tax, rental, or tariff imposed by a government, sovereign, lord, or landlord

(2)

: an exorbitant charge levied by a person or group having the power of coercion

c

: the liability to pay tribute

Did you know?

Tribute originally took the form of things given from a weaker group to the dominant power of a region—a bit like the "protection money" the Mafia gets from small businesses after making them offers they can't refuse, though the older form of tribute actually did buy the weaker group some protection from enemy forces. Tribute could come in the form of valuables, cattle, or even produce, and might include the loan of warriors to strengthen the ruler's army. But when we "pay tribute" today, it's generally in the form of praise. And when we say, for instance, that a successful school "is a tribute to" the vision of its founder, we mean that its success is itself a form of praise for the person who founded it. And a "tribute band" is a rock group intended to honor a great band of the past.

Synonyms

• homage
• commendation
• citation
• award
• accolade
• hymn
• eulogy

Choose the Right Synonym for tribute

encomium, eulogy, panegyric, tribute, citation mean a formal expression of praise.

encomium implies enthusiasm and warmth in praising a person or a thing.

received encomiums from literary critics

eulogy applies to a prepared speech or writing extolling the virtues and services of a person.

delivered the eulogy at the funeral service

panegyric suggests an elaborate often poetic compliment.

her lyrical memoir was a panegyric to her mentor

tribute implies deeply felt praise conveyed either through words or through a significant act.

the concert was a musical tribute to the early jazz masters

citation applies to the formal praise of a person offered in a military dispatch or in awarding an honorary degree.

earned a citation for bravery

Examples of tribute in a Sentence

The concert was a tribute to the musician.

Yellow ribbons were tied on trees as a tribute to the soldiers at war.

an event at which artists and musicians paid tribute to the famous composer

The country was forced to pay tribute.

The ruler paid a tribute every year.

Recent Examples on the Web

In May, Brown paid tribute to husband Jake Bongiovi on his 23rd birthday with a post on social media. —Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 29 June 2025

This hidden cocktail bar pays tribute to Asheville's bold 1907 anti-Prohibitionists who wore red ribbons in defiance. —Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 29 June 2025

Later Friday afternoon, former President Joe Biden arrived at the State Capitol rotunda to pay tribute. —Stephen Swanson, CBS News, 28 June 2025

Many celebrities have joined forces to pay tribute to the community — including JoJo Siwa, Keke Palmer, Paris Hilton, Lady Gaga, Kamala Harris and hundreds of other stars. —Andrea Wurzburger, People.com, 28 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tribut, from Latin tributum, from neuter of tributus, past participle of tribuere to allot, bestow, grant, pay, from tribus tribe

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing tribute

• floral tribute
• pay tribute/homage to
• tribute album

Rhymes for tribute

• contribute
• distribute
• redistribute

Kids Definition

tribute

noun

trib·​ute ˈtrib-ˌyüt 

-yət

1

a

: a payment made by one ruler or nation to another to show obedience or to obtain peace or protection

b

: a tax to raise money for a tribute

c

: the obligation to pay tribute

nations under tribute

2

: something (as a gift or speech of praise) that is given or performed to show appreciation, respect, or affection

floral tribute