# tribute

/ˈtɹɪbjut/ (US) · /tɹˈɪbjuːt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tribute
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. an act of respect

noun · CEFR B2

something you say, do, or give to show how much you respect or admire someone.

For teachers: an acknowledgment of gratitude, respect, or admiration, often taking the form of a public statement or a commemorative gift.

- The concert was a moving tribute to the singer who died last year.
- The retired professor received a heartfelt tribute from her former students, who credited her mentorship with their professional success.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'to'.

### 2. historical payment

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

money or goods that one country or ruler was forced to pay to another for protection or peace.

For teachers: a wealth payment made by one party to another as a sign of submission or price of protection, common in feudal or imperial contexts.

- In ancient times, smaller kingdoms paid tribute to the empire to avoid being attacked.
- The historical records detail the exact amount of gold and grain paid in annual tribute by the vassal states to the central authority.

### 3. mining payment

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a share of the ore or money given to a miner as their pay.

For teachers: a proportion of the mined ore, or its equivalent value, given to a miner as a form of piecework payment.

- The miners worked for a tribute, meaning they only got paid if they found good minerals.
- Under the tribute system, the Cornish miners' earnings fluctuated wildly based on the quality of the lode they were currently excavating.

### 5. to pay as a gift

verb · CEFR C2 · Archaic

to give something as a sign of respect or as a required payment.

For teachers: to pay or contribute something as a formal tribute. Transitive use is rare in modern prose.

- The local lords would tribute a portion of their harvest to the king.
- The ancient texts describe how the conquered tribes were forced to tribute their finest horses to the victors every spring.

## Examples

- The concert was a moving tribute to the late singer.
- The retired professor received a heartfelt tribute from her former students during the graduation ceremony.
- The monument stands as a silent tribute to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives, serving as a permanent reminder of the cost of freedom for future generations.

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