tribal
adjective
trib·​al
| \ ˈtrī-bəl
\
\
Definition of tribal
(Entry 1 of 2)
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a tribe
tribal customs
tribal
nounDefinition of tribal (Entry 2 of 2)
: a member of an aboriginal people of India
—usually used in plural
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Other Words from tribal
Adjective
tribally
\ ˈtrī-​bə-​lē
\
adverb
\
adverb
Examples of tribal in a Sentence
Adjective
a tribal solidarity that transcends all other loyalties or bondsRecent Examples on the Web: Adjective
Find jewelry, artwork, clothing and musical instruments, made by enrolled tribal members. — oregonlive, "Let ‘er Buck: How to navigate the Pendleton Round-Up," 31 Aug. 2019 Other shots show Depp interacting with tribal members on native land. — Brieanna J. Frank, azcentral, "Dior ad for 'Sauvage' perfume featuring Native American dancer, Johnny Depp draws criticism," 30 Aug. 2019 Indigenous leaders who favor sustainable development and preservation of communal traditions find themselves at odds with tribal members lured by cash payouts from outsiders eager to cut their trees or dig up their minerals. — Felipe Fittipaldi, National Geographic, "Inside the faltering fight against illegal Amazon logging," 28 Aug. 2019 When a group of Gond tribal members, who are often at the bottom of India’s complex social hierarchy, protested, the Gujjar men showed up with tractors and guns. — Hari Kumar, BostonGlobe.com, "10 are killed in caste-driven land dispute in India," 18 July 2019 An investigation determined election workers followed the law, and no eligible tribal members were prevented from voting. — USA TODAY, "‘Molly of Denali,’ saloon discourse, ashes by mail: News from around our 50 states," 10 July 2019 About 3,500 tribal members can use those rights retained when the tribe ceded the land to the U.S. government. — Keith Ridler, The Seattle Times, "State refuses to recognize bighorn as biggest ever for Idaho," 29 May 2019 And tribes say large telecommunications companies are unwilling to expand to tribal lands because of the cost. — Felicia Fonseca, The Denver Post, "Tribes across country push for better internet access," 18 Aug. 2019 However, documents show the park opened on tribal land in 1969 with a 25-year lease, which was renewed for another 25 years in 1987. — Claire Rafford, azcentral, "Mobile-home residents of Roadrunner Lake Resort kicked out of park after lease expires," 10 Aug. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
The boys can’t really be faulted for not being able to decipher the words of the song—because the movement, and its anthem, is meant to be pan-tribal, to inspire unity among Native nations, most renditions of the song do not translate it into words. — Rebecca Bengal, Vogue, "The Power of Nathan Phillips’s Song," 21 Jan. 2019 Indeed, all the angry tribals are asking is that the government respect its own laws and undertakings. — The Economist, "Stone-carving villagers make Indian officials jittery," 7 June 2018 Some tribals are Hindu and others Christian, but many persist in forms of worship that predate both religions—such as erecting large stones to mark undertakings of great significance. — The Economist, "Stone-carving villagers make Indian officials jittery," 7 June 2018 At tribal, Bradley spoke highly of how great everyone at Naviti has been getting along; that got some eye rolls. — Rasputin Todd, Cincinnati.com, "Who was voted off 'Survivor' this week? (April 4) Did Mason's Angela Perkins advance?," 4 Apr. 2018 At Ghost Island, Kellyn was offered a 50/50 chance at a secret advantage but declined as there was also a 50/50 chance at losing her vote in the next tribal. — Rasputin Todd, Cincinnati.com, "Who was voted off 'Survivor' this week? (April 25) Did Mason's Angela Perkins advance?," 25 Apr. 2018 But tribalism ultimately couldn’t save Pruitt from himself Being openly tribal has served Scott Pruitt well so far in his career, earning him the iron-clad support of industry, the far right, and Donald Trump alike. — David Roberts, Vox, "Tribalism fueled Scott Pruitt’s rise to power — and the scandals that came with it," 5 July 2018 At Ghost Island, Kellyn was offered a 50/50 chance at a secret advantage but declined as there was also a 50/50 chance at losing her vote in the next tribal. — Rasputin Todd, Cincinnati.com, "Who was voted off 'Survivor' this week? (April 25) Did Mason's Angela Perkins advance?," 25 Apr. 2018 At Ghost Island, Kellyn was offered a 50/50 chance at a secret advantage but declined as there was also a 50/50 chance at losing her vote in the next tribal. — Rasputin Todd, Cincinnati.com, "Who was voted off 'Survivor' this week? (April 25) Did Mason's Angela Perkins advance?," 25 Apr. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tribal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for tribal
tribal
adjective
English Language Learners Definition of tribal
: of or relating to a tribe or tribes
See the full definition for tribal in the English Language Learners Dictionary
tribal
adjective
trib·​al
| \ ˈtrī-bəl
\
\
Kids Definition of tribal
: relating to a tribe
a tribal custom
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