tribune

¹ American  

[trib-yoon, trih-byoon] / ˈtrɪb yun, trɪˈbyun /

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.

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tribune ² American  

[trib-yoon, trih-byoon] / ˈtrɪb yun, trɪˈbyun /

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.

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tribune ¹ British  

/ 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

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tribune ² British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• tribunary
  adjective
• tribunitial
  adjective
• tribunicial
  adjective
• tribuneship
  noun

Etymology

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

Explanation

A tribune was someone in the government of ancient Rome who looked out for ordinary people, in other words, an elected representative. Tribune is also a word that newspapers like, such as the "Chicago Tribune" or the "Des Moines Tribune." There are many types of tribunes, but the earliest dates from ancient Rome. In Rome, a tribune was an elected representative of the common people. A tribune was expected to look after the interests of the people, just like our politicians today. Another type of tribune comes from the world of architecture, specifically the architecture of Christian churches. The tribune is a part of the church, often under a dome, where you can find the throne of a bishop.

Example Sentences

The Tribune reviewed hundreds of pages of concept plans, lawsuits and reviewed hours of testimony from commissioners court meetings to piece together information about the projects.

From Salon • Jun. 6, 2026

One of them told the Salt Lake Tribune that “it’s going to bring a lot of good-paying jobs” and that “if we really need it to stay ahead of China, I am all for it.”

From Slate • Jun. 1, 2026

Europe must, he added in the interview with Tribune, "find the right path" to reach a "balance" between innovation and regulation.

From Barron's • May 30, 2026

Previously, she interned for the Alexandria Times and the Minnesota Star Tribune, continuing to work as a contract photo editor following the internship.

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026

It cheered when the big searchlights atop the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building began sweeping the crowd, and when colorful plumes of water—“peacock feathers,” the Tribune called them—began erupting from the MacMonnies Fountain.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson