tribune

1
[ trib-yoon, trih-byoon ]

noun
  1. a person who upholds or defends the rights of the people.

  2. Roman History.

    • any of various administrative officers, especially one of 10 officers elected to protect the interests and rights of the plebeians from the patricians.

    • any of the six officers of a legion who rotated in commanding the legion during the year.

Origin of tribune

1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin tribūnus, derivative of tribus tribe

Other words from tribune

  • trib·une·ship, noun
  • trib·u·ni·tial, trib·u·ni·cial [trib-yuh-nish-uhl], /ˌtrɪb yəˈnɪʃ əl/, adjective

Words Nearby tribune

Other definitions for tribune (2 of 2)

tribune2
[ 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.

  1. (in a Christian basilica) the bishop's throne, occupying a recess or apse.

  2. the apse itself.

Origin of tribune

2
First recorded in 1635–45; from Medieval Latin tribūna; replacing Latin tribūnāle tribunal

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use tribune in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for tribune (1 of 2)

tribune1

/ (ˈtrɪbjuːn) /


noun
  1. (in ancient Rome)

    • an officer elected by the plebs to protect their interests. Originally there were two of these officers but finally there were ten

    • a senior military officer

  2. a person or institution that upholds public rights; champion

Origin of tribune

1
C14: from Latin tribunus, probably from tribus tribe

Derived forms of tribune

  • tribunary, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for tribune (2 of 2)

tribune2

/ (ˈtrɪbjuːn) /


noun
    • the apse of a Christian basilica that contains the bishop's throne

    • the throne itself

  1. a gallery or raised area in a church

  1. rare a raised platform from which a speaker may address an audience; dais

Origin of tribune

2
C17: via French from Italian tribuna, from Medieval Latin tribūna, variant of Latin tribūnal tribunal

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