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.

tribune

¹

/ 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

tribune

²

/ ˈtrɪbjuːn /

noun

1. 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

Other Word Forms

• tribunary adjective
• tribuneship noun
• tribunitial adjective
• tribunicial 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

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

Origin of tribune²

C14: from Latin tribunus , probably from tribus _tribe

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

"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

Alexander Hassenstein: For this game, I had the opportunity to work from a high vantage point in the media tribune directly above the benches.

From BBC