homage

noun

hom·​age ˈä-mij How to pronounce homage (audio) ˈhä- How to pronounce homage (audio)
 sense 2b is often  ō-ˈmäzh
1
a
: a feudal ceremony by which a man acknowledges himself the vassal of a lord
b
: the relationship between a feudal lord and his vassal
c
: an act done or payment made in meeting the obligations due from a vassal to a feudal lord
2
a
: expression of high regard : respect
bowed in homage to the king
often used with pay
Her work pays homage to women artists of the past.
b
: something that shows respect or attests to the worth or influence of another : tribute
his long life filled with international homages to his unique musical talentPeople

Did you know?

The root of homage is homo-, the Latin root meaning "man." In medieval times, a king's male subject could officially become the king's man (or vassal) by publicly announcing allegiance to the monarch in a formal ceremony. In that ritual, known as homage, the subject knelt and placed his hands between those of his lord, symbolically surrendering himself and putting himself at the lord's disposal and under his jurisdiction. A bond was thus forged between the two; the vassal's part was to revere and serve his lord, and the lord's role was to protect the vassal and his family.

Choose the Right Synonym for homage

honor, homage, reverence, deference mean respect and esteem shown to another.

honor may apply to the recognition of one's right to great respect or to any expression of such recognition.

the nomination is an honor

homage adds the implication of accompanying praise.

paying homage to Shakespeare

reverence implies profound respect mingled with love, devotion, or awe.

great reverence for my father

deference implies a yielding or submitting to another's judgment or preference out of respect or reverence.

showed no deference to their elders

Examples of homage in a Sentence

The book is a deeply personal homage to her favorite city. the poem is a moving homage to all who have served in our nation's armed services
Recent Examples on the Web Opening: May 2020 Price: From $178 The Amity at Harbor View Hotel, Edgartown, Massachusetts (Martha’s Vineyard) Reopening after a major renovation, the property is an homage to the legendary Spielberg film, Jaws, and the fictional Amity Island setting. Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 18 Mar. 2024 The visual is a really great homage to something so iconic. Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2024 Unveiling the still-unrated laffer at the SXSW Film Festival, Adlon delivers an unapologetically crude homage to motherhood, presented here as the awe-inspiring phenomenon by which a human grows another human inside her body. Peter Debruge, Variety, 10 Mar. 2024 The Academy Award-winning actor’s full name, William Bradley Pitt, is a homage to his father. Perri Ormont Blumberg, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024 As such, the watch is significantly lighter than most, an homage to aircraft engineering and the constant pursuit of creating lighter, faster, more fuel-efficient jets. Rebecca Suhrawardi, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2024 Bazille had by now befriended his hero, so his decision to highlight the peonies was a kind of homage. Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024 Redondo will wear No. 55, an homage to his father’s No. 5, a number often worn by center backs and defensive midfielders. Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024 Chanel’s short homage focuses on a key scene in the movie in which the two leads sit opposite each other in a Deauville hotel restaurant, dancing via dialogue ever more closely together. Luke Leitch, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'homage.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French homage, omage, from home man, vassal, from Latin homin-, homo human being; akin to Old English guma human being, Latin humus earth — more at humble

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of homage was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near homage

Cite this Entry

“Homage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homage. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

homage

noun
hom·​age ˈ(h)äm-ij How to pronounce homage (audio)
1
: a ceremony in which a person pledged allegiance to a lord and became his vassal
2
: something done or given in fulfilling a vassal's duty to a lord
3
: respect entry 1 sense 2a, honor
paid homage to her

More from Merriam-Webster on homage

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