Definition

1. Noun:
   • A social group comprising numerous families, clans, or generations, often sharing a common ancestry, language, culture, and name, and typically having a recognized leader. This is the primary social and political unit in many traditional societies.
   • (Biology) A taxonomic category ranking below a subfamily and above a genus. It is used in the scientific classification of plants and animals.
   • A large number of persons, often with a shared characteristic or interest, perceived as a distinct group. This is a more informal, sometimes humorous or critical, modern usage.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Social Group):
  • The Maasai tribe is known for its distinctive culture and pastoral lifestyle.
  • Several tribes gathered for the annual festival to celebrate their shared heritage.
• Noun (Biology):
  • In botanical classification, roses belong to the tribe Roseae.
• Noun (Informal Group):
  • He's coming to the party with his whole tribe of college friends.
  • I need to get advice from my tribe of fellow writers.

Advanced Usage

• "Tribal" (Adjective): Relating to or characteristic of a tribe or tribes.
  • Tribal customs vary greatly across the continent.
  • The design features intricate tribal patterns.
• Concept of "Tribe" in Anthropology: Refers to a type of human social organization based on kinship, with a relatively simple, non-industrialized structure. The term's usage and definition are subjects of ongoing academic discussion.

Variants and Related Words

• Tribesman/Tribeswoman (n): A member of a tribe.
  • A tribeswoman demonstrated the traditional weaving technique.
• Tribalism (n): The state or fact of being organized in a tribe or tribes. More commonly, it refers to strong loyalty to one's own tribe or social group, often in opposition to others.
  • Political tribalism can prevent constructive dialogue.

Synonyms

• Clan: A group of close-knit and interrelated families (often used interchangeably with tribe but may imply a smaller, more specific lineage).
• People: A body of persons united by a common culture, history, or nationality.
• Federation: A group of states or organizations united under a central authority (specific to the definition of a union of groups, like Native American tribes).
• Kinfolk: One's family and relations.

Related Phrases

• Chief of the tribe: The recognized leader of a tribe.
  • The chief of the tribe made the final decision.
• To go native/tribal: (Idiomatic, sometimes considered offensive) To adopt the lifestyle or customs of an indigenous people.
  • After living there for years, he completely went tribal.

Related Idioms

• A tribe of one: Someone who is fiercely independent and does not identify with any group.
  • He doesn't join clubs or follow trends; he's a tribe of one.
• To belong to the same tribe: To share fundamental beliefs, interests, or characteristics with a group of people.
  • As soon as we started talking about vintage cars, I knew we belonged to the same tribe.

Noun

1. group of people related by blood or marriage
2. (biology) a taxonomic category between a genus and a subfamily
3. a federation (as of American Indians)
4. a social division of (usually preliterate) people