Meaning: Something given or done to show respect or admiration
* "The band played a touching tribute to their late lead singer." (They performed a song or music piece in honor of the singer.)
* "The statue in the town square is a tribute to the city's founding fathers." (The statue is a monument dedicated to their memory and achievements.)
* "The student wrote a heartfelt tribute to her grandmother in her essay." (The essay expressed her love and appreciation for her grandmother.)
Meaning: A payment, especially one made regularly to someone, often for a particular purpose
* "The company pays a monthly tribute to the local mafia boss for protection." (This implies a forced payment for avoiding harm.)
* "The ancient Egyptians paid tributes of gold and food to their gods." (This refers to offerings made to show respect and appease deities.)
Meaning: An expression of admiration, praise, or gratitude.
* "The award ceremony was a fitting tribute to the year's best athletes." (The ceremony recognized and praised their accomplishments.)
* "The speech was a moving tribute to the fallen soldiers." (The speech honored their sacrifice and remembered their bravery.)
Using "Tribute" in different ways:
* As a noun: "The concert was a tribute to the legendary musician."
* As an adjective: "The students gave a tribute performance of the play."
* As a verb: "The band tributed their success to their loyal fans." (This usage is less common)
Remember that the context will usually make it clear which meaning of "tribute" is intended.