tribe

/tɹaɪb/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: tribes · tribing · tribed

Sense 1

Meaning · English

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.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Một nhóm dân tộc lớn hơn một băng hoặc thị tộc

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Noun

Examples

the Twelve Tribes of Israel; Germanic tribes; Celtic tribes

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A tribal nation or people.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Dân tộc hoặc người của một bộ lạc

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Noun

Examples

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.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To distribute into tribes or classes; to categorize.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Phân loại thành các bộ lạc hoặc lớp

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Verb

Examples

1696-1699, William Nicolson, English Historical Library Our fowl, fish, and quadruped are well tribed.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

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.

Is “tribe” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.