tribute

UK: /ˈtrɪbjuːt/ US: /ˈtrɪbjut/ ,(trib′yo̅o̅t)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

trib•ute /ˈtrɪbyut/   n. 

1. a gift, speech of praise, etc., given as an expression of gratitude toward another:
   [countable] They gave the retiring president a tribute.
   [uncountable] They paid tribute to his outstanding talents.
2. something that deserves praise because of its quality:
   [countable* usually singular;

   usually: a + ~]

   The efficient way the company is now being run is a tribute to her skills.
3. Government a sum of money or other payment paid by one sovereign or nation to another as the price of peace, etc.:
   [uncountable] to pay tribute in the form of land to the conquerors.
   [countable] a tribute in the sum of millions.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

trib•ute  (trib′yo̅o̅t), n. 

1. a gift, testimonial, compliment, or the like, given as due or in acknowledgment of gratitude or esteem.
2. a stated sum or other valuable consideration paid by one sovereign or state to another in acknowledgment of subjugation or as the price of peace, security, protection, or the like.
3. a rent, tax, or the like, as that paid by a subject to a sovereign.
4. any exacted or enforced payment or contribution.
5. obligation or liability to make such payment.

• Latin tribūtum a levied payment, noun, nominal use of neuter of past participle of tribuere to assign, allot, derivative of tribus tribe
• Middle English tribut 1300–50

Synonyms

• 1. recognition, commendation, eulogy.
• 4. levy, toll, impost, duty.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

tribute / ˈtrɪbjuːt/ noun

1. a gift or statement made in acknowledgment, gratitude, or admiration
2. a payment by one ruler or state to another, usually as an acknowledgment of submission
3. the obligation to pay tribute

Etymology: 14th Century: from Latin tribūtum, from tribuere to grant (originally: to distribute among the tribes), from tribus tribe