tribune

¹

[ trib-yoon, trih-byoon ]

noun

1. a person who upholds or defends the rights of the people.
2. Roman History.
   1. any of various administrative officers, especially one of 10 officers elected to protect the interests and rights of the plebeians from the patricians.
   2. any of the six officers of a legion who rotated in commanding the legion during the year.

tribune

²

[ trib-yoon, trih-byoon ]

noun

1. a raised platform for a speaker; a dais, rostrum, or pulpit.
2. a raised part, or gallery, with seats, as in a church.
3. (in a Christian basilica) the bishop's throne, occupying a recess or apse.
4. the apse itself.
5. tribunal ( def 3 ).

tribune

¹

/ ˈtrɪbjuːn /

noun

1. in ancient Rome
   1. an officer elected by the plebs to protect their interests. Originally there were two of these officers but finally there were ten
   2. a senior military officer
2. a person or institution that upholds public rights; champion

tribune

²

/ ˈtrɪbjuːn /

noun

1. 1. the apse of a Christian basilica that contains the bishop's throne
   2. the throne itself
2. a gallery or raised area in a church
3. rare.
   a raised platform from which a speaker may address an audience; dais

Derived Forms

• ˈtribunary, adjective

Other Words From

• trib·une·ship noun
• trib·u·ni·tial trib·u·ni·cial [trib-y, uh, -, nish, -, uh, l], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tribune¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin tribūnus, derivative of tribus tribe

Origin of tribune²

First recorded in 1635–45; from Medieval Latin tribūna; replacing Latin tribūnāle tribunal

Word History and Origins

Origin of tribune¹

C14: from Latin tribunus , probably from tribus tribe

Origin of tribune²

C17: via French from Italian tribuna , from Medieval Latin tribūna , variant of Latin tribūnal tribunal

Example Sentences

And he launched into a strange tribune to Hannibal Lecter, the murderous cannibal played by actor Anthony Hopkins in the 1991 film “The Silence of the Lambs.”

From Los Angeles Times

At the annual military parade through Red Square, the structure is blocked from view by a tribune where dignitaries watch the festivities.

From Seattle Times

Donald Trump, with his thinly veiled bigotry and misogyny, is the tribune of this Republican Party.

From Salon

"Before I would be definitely scared to play on the Centre Court, but now I want to play on the court with tribunes," she said.

From BBC

“No one knew what this tribune would end up being like, whether it would be a total failure or a roaring success,” says Raustiala.

From Los Angeles Times