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.

---

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.

---

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

---

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

---

Other Word Forms

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

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

Example Sentences

It was down to the last five quickest from the first leg, the tension palpable around a packed tribune.

From Barron's

Von Allmen, however, was a picture of celebration after his storming run, the large number of baying Swiss fans in the packed tribune wildly applauding their hero, flags waved, cowbells heaved and air horns blown.

From Barron's

Harbored at different times by Yemen, Syria, East Germany and communist Hungary, this self-appointed tribune of the oppressed was finally captured in Sudan in 1994, then convicted in France of multiple murders.

From The Wall Street Journal

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