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

But one day, scanning the classified ads in The Minneapolis Tribune, she saw a job opportunity that appealed to her.

From The Daily Beast

A smaller headline in the Herald Tribune stated that Black September, headed by Ali Salameh, had taken credit for the operation.

From The Daily Beast

Klopfer told the South Bend Tribune after the Allen County Right to Life filed complaints with the Indiana Attorney General.

From The Daily Beast

The pages of the Salt Lake Tribune have rarely been so animated.

From The Daily Beast

Then, the Texas Tribune revealed her campaign had “juked the numbers.”

From The Daily Beast

You cite the case of some who are admirable tea-party oracles, but who cannot utter half a dozen sentences in the tribune.

From Project Gutenberg

There are few specimens of political oratory in the English language which rival some of the speeches of this young tribune.

From Project Gutenberg

The Tribune stood leisurely in as soon as the fleet anchored, till she was within half a mile of the town.

From Project Gutenberg

The next morning the Tribune published the letters and congratulated the Army boys.

From Project Gutenberg

The meetings of the comitia tributa were generally presided over by a tribune, although sometimes by one of the consuls.

From Project Gutenberg