a public show of respect or honour towards someone or something (esp in the phrases payordo homage to) - (in feudal society)
the act of respect and allegiance made by a vassal to his lord
See also fealty
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
hom•age /ˈhɑmɪdʒ, ˈɑm-/USA pronunciation
n.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025- respect;
reverence:[uncountable]to pay homage to one's ancestors. - something acknowledging the high regard of another:[countable]a book presented as an homage to a great teacher.
hom•age
(hom′ij, om′-),USA pronunciation n.
- respect or reverence paid or rendered:In his speech he paid homage to Washington and Jefferson.
- World Historythe formal public acknowledgment by which a feudal tenant or vassal declared himself to be the man or vassal of his lord, owing him fealty and service.
- World Historythe relation thus established of a vassal to his lord.
- something done or given in acknowledgment or consideration of the worth of another:a Festschrift presented as an homage to a great teacher.
- Latin hominem, accusative of homō; see Homo) + -age -age
- Old French, equivalent. to (h)ome man (
- Middle English (h)omage 1250–1300
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged deference, obeisance; honor, tribute.
- 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged fidelity, loyalty, devotion.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged irreverence.
- 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged disloyalty.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
'do homage to' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):