a federation (as of American Indians)
"The treaty was signed between several tribes that formed a loose federation to defend their shared lands against encroaching settlers."
(biology) a taxonomic category between a genus and a subfamily
"In biological classification, the tribe sits hierarchically between the genus and the subfamily to organize related groups of organisms."
A socially, ethnically, or politically cohesive group of people.
"The indigenous tribe maintained its traditional customs while adapting to modern life."
In plain English: A tribe is a group of people who share common traditions, language, and culture but are not necessarily related by blood.
"The travelers asked locals for directions to their nearest tribe in the mountains."
Usage: Use the noun form to describe close-knit groups bound by shared culture or ancestry rather than just political affiliation. Avoid using it as a verb when referring to social organization unless specifically discussing formal classification systems.
To distribute into tribes or classes; to categorize.
"The new software updates will automatically sort your contacts and sort them into different groups based on their activity levels."
In plain English: To tribe means to unite with others who share your interests and support each other as part of a group.
"The tribe gathered together to celebrate their victory."
The word "tribe" comes from the Latin term tribus, which originally referred to a specific division or group within a society. It entered English through Middle English and Old French, retaining its core meaning of a social unit.