What does "tribe" mean?
An ethnic group larger than a band or clan (and which may contain clans) but smaller than a nation (and which in turn may constitute a nation with other tribes). The tribe is often the basis of ethnic identity.
Tribe
/tɹaɪb/ name, noun, verb, slang
name, noun, verb, slang ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An ethnic group larger than a band or clan (and which may contain clans) but smaller than a nation (and which in turn may constitute a nation with other tribes). The tribe is often the basis of ethnic identity.
- Grammar: tribe is listed as name, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: clan, kin group, age group, andaman.
- Useful contrasts: individual, outsider.
- Usage evidence: Europeans tried to civilize the tribe.
How to use "tribe"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "tribe" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "tribe" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "tribe" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "tribe" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "tribe" is acting as name, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "clan" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "tribe", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An ethnic group larger than a band or clan (and which may contain clans) but smaller than a nation (and which in turn may constitute a nation with other tribes). The tribe is often the basis of ethnic identity.
"the Twelve Tribes of Israel; Germanic tribes; Celtic tribes"
- 2 group of people related by blood or marriage wordnet
- 3 A tribal nation or people.
"This leaves for consideration of this group of small tribes, or subtribes, so far as mapped by the writer quoted, the Teule, Cazcan, and Tecuexe."
- 4 (biology) a taxonomic category between a genus and a subfamily wordnet
- 5 A nation or people considered culturally primitive, as may be the case in Africa, Australia or Native America. derogatory, informal
Show 9 more definitions
- 6 a federation (as of American Indians) wordnet
- 7 A socially cohesive group of people within a society.
"Near-synonyms: nation; ingroup"
- 8 a social division of (usually preliterate) people wordnet
- 9 A class or group of things.
"In 1968, estimates of the number of active reprint publishers ranged from about 20 to 100 publishers. The fact that almost 300 U.S. reprint publishers have been identified is evidence that the reprint tribe continues to increase."
- 10 A group of apes who live and work together.
- 11 A hierarchical rank between family and genus.
"The tempo of evolution in South American hamsters was very rapid – in the course of the Pliocene and Anthropocene 40 genera were formed here, at which time a series of them attained the level of tribe and subtribe (Oxymycteri, Phyllotiini, Ichthyomyini)."
- 12 A group of affiliated Mardi Gras Indians.
- 13 The collective noun for various animals.
- 14 A family of animals descended from some particular female progenitor, through the female line.
"the Duchess tribe of shorthorns"
Verb
- 1 To distribute into tribes or classes; to categorize. transitive
"1696-1699, William Nicolson, English Historical Library Our fowl, fish, and quadruped are well tribed."
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname.
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Europeans tried to civilize the tribe."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "tribe"?
Common synonyms include: clan, kin group, age group, andaman, animal kingdom, arawak.
How do you use "tribe" in a sentence?
Europeans tried to civilize the tribe.
How do you pronounce "tribe"?
Pronounced /tɹaɪb/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
PIE word *tréyes From Middle English tribe, tribu, from Old French tribu, from Latin tribus. Doublet of tribus.
Etymology 2
Southern English surname of uncertain origin. Perhaps related to Latin tribus.