plural tribes
1
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
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
Derrick has presented collections at London Fashion Week inspired by various tribes including the posturing cool boys of Shoreditch, tweedy Savile Row types and immigrants who have breathed new life into London’s fashion scene.
—
Violet Goldstone, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2025
The Klamath tribes, for instance, have passed down a story about the creation of Oregon’s Crater Lake, formed about 7,700 years ago, after Mount Mazama erupted and collapsed into itself.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Before the draft was even released, Great Lakes tribes withdrew as cooperating agencies in the review process, saying that the federal agency was not acting in good faith.
—Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Vigil was also concerned that the battle by tribes to be equal partners with the states and the federal government in determining the future of the river still has not been fully resolved.
—Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tribe
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Violet Goldstone, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2025
The Klamath tribes, for instance, have passed down a story about the creation of Oregon’s Crater Lake, formed about 7,700 years ago, after Mount Mazama erupted and collapsed into itself.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Before the draft was even released, Great Lakes tribes withdrew as cooperating agencies in the review process, saying that the federal agency was not acting in good faith.
—Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Vigil was also concerned that the battle by tribes to be equal partners with the states and the federal government in determining the future of the river still has not been fully resolved.
—Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tribe
Cite this Entry
“Tribe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tribe. Accessed 24 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tribe
noun1
: a social group made up of many families, clans, or generations that share the same language, customs, and beliefs
2
: a group of persons with a common character, occupation, or interest
3
: a group of related plants or animals
Medical Definition
tribe
noun
: a category of taxonomic classification sometimes equivalent to or ranking just below a suborder but more commonly ranking below a subfamily
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