Homage

n.thoughtful, joyfulformal

What it means

A public expression of deep respect, honor, or artistic indebtedness.

Reach for it when crediting a person, tradition, or earlier work with deliberate respect

The concert paid homage to the neighborhood musicians who created the style.

playful
nod
a small allusion recognizes an influence without dominating the new work
not when Nod is informal and too slight for sustained or ceremonial homage.
everyday
honor
respect should be expressed plainly through action or recognition
not when Honor covers everything from courtesy to awards and lacks homage's deliberate deference.
warm
tribute
an act or work openly honors a person's contribution
not when Tribute can commemorate the dead or celebrate the living without implying artistic influence.
professional
acknowledgment
credit and recognition matter more than reverence
not when Acknowledgment may meet a factual duty while lacking the warmth of homage.
professional
salute
a concise public acknowledgment suits a program or speech
not when Salute carries military associations and can feel perfunctory.
literary
reverence
the respect approaches sacred depth
not when Reverence is an attitude and may overstate an artistic reference.

pay homage
The mural will pay homage to the workers named in the original records.
loving homage
The adaptation is a loving homage rather than a copy.
homage to tradition
Her design offers homage to tradition while crediting its living practitioners.
musical homage
A musical homage quotes only enough of the theme to make its debt clear.

Homage should credit the actual people or tradition involved and must not excuse unlicensed copying or cultural appropriation.

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.